Roscommon People - 31 January 2025 by RossiePeople

‘THAT’S POLITICS’

Surprise as Daly misses out on ministerial role

 EMMETT CORCORAN

Dr Martin Daly, newly-elected Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway, was surprisingly overlooked when 23 Ministers of State were announced after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Deputy Daly had been hotly tipped to take up a junior ministerial portfolio in the Department of Health; however, he has missed out on this occasion.

Speaking to the Roscommon People on Wednesday evening, Deputy Daly accepted that being a ﬁrst-term TD was always going to make getting a ministerial appointment more difﬁcult, despite the high hopes of the local Fianna Fáil organisation.

“That’s politics. I am a newly-elected TD. The Taoiseach has appointed a strong front bench team and I intend to work hard to support that team”.

Expressing disappointment for the constituency, Deputy Daly said: “Not on a personal level but for the constituency, I would be disappointed that it won’t have front bench representation. But there are many ways to represent your constituency and I intend to prove that you can be an effective advocate as a government TD without being a junior minister”.

Meanwhile, Boyle native and former Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan (Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim) was also amongst those disappointed when the junior ministerial appointments were conﬁrmed.

Full story: Page 7.

Still in the dark

While ESB Networks and relief crews from abroad are working

around the clock to see power restored to all, many customers are faced with estimated restoration times as far out as February 6th. Locally, the west and north of County Roscommon, along with East Galway, have been worst affected by power cuts and loss of water supply. In Castlerea and surrounds, over 1,000 premises are still

impacted, with around 1,000 properties without power in the greater Boyle area, and approximately 1,200 in Roscommon Town and environs.

As of Wednesday night, around 700 properties were still without power in Athlone, and over 400 in Ballinasloe area. Full coverage on pages 11, 15, 16 & 17.

Deputy Martin Daly (left) and Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin pictured together in St Brigid’s GAA Clubhouse on Tuesday. The Taoiseach did not include Deputy Daly in his choice of Ministers of State, announced on Wednesday. Photo: Michael Finan.

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WATCHING People

With PAUL HEALY

BLACK ICE ON ROADS

During the recent icy weather conditions my neighbour’s car skidded on black ice and collided with my parked car. My neighbour was very apologetic but feels that the accident was not his fault and is blaming the icy road. My car was signiﬁcantly damaged and I would appreciate your advice.

Motorists have had to struggle with icy roads and black ice in recent days. Motorists are obliged to drive with due care and attention at all times and the difﬁcult weather conditions do not provide an excuse if their vehicle collides with another.

I would suggest that you contact your neighbour and request that he report the matter to his motor insurance company who should compensate you for your loss. By law, at a very minimum, your neighbour’s motor insurance policy will extend to third party claims.

Your neighbour’s insurance company will send a motor assessor to inspect your car and he will agree repair costs with your garage. Your garage should provide you with a courtesy car for the duration of the repair period. All such costs should be discharged by your neighbour’s insurer. If requested, the insurance company may issue payment directly to your garage.

However, your neighbour should contact his insurer without delay so as not to prejudice the claims process. If your neighbour’s car was also damaged in the collision and if he had comprehensive motor insurance then his insurer will deal with the damage to his car in the same manner as yours. A policy excess will normally apply to such a claim however.

If your neighbour refuses to deal with you, or report the matter to his insurer, you should immediately contact your Solicitor.

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

In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

Well, my friend… what a weekend!

Yeah… a ‘super storm’ knocked us for six, then we knocked Down for seven!

It’s a weekend we’ll all remember for a long, long time!

Very true!

I mean, those early hours of Friday morning… such drama!

Actually, the drama began for me on Thursday evening… How so?

Ah just a little fracas in the local shop… Huh?

Main thing is, rather bizarrely, nobody ﬁlmed it on their phone!

I don’t understand…

Ah just a small exchange between me and an old lady… How old?

I’d say she was about 91… well, she WAS 91, she told me three times!

And you had an argument with her?

Oh absolutely not! That would never happen. No, there was just some very brief tension… a few serious stares and a 5-minute stand-off! What happened? Don’t tell me you started talking politics, you know you can go too far sometimes…

No, nothing of that nature! Look, it was ﬁne in the end!

Bottom line is you had some sort of run-in with a 91-year-old lady? WHAT ARE YOU LIKE?!

Thebarstoolboyos

It’s ﬁne! It was the last loaf of bread! I just happened to reach it before her! But I gave it to her in the end, and she was happy!

(They pause to watch the video of a woman challenging the Taoiseach in Castlerea on Tuesday)

A weekend we’ll all remember for a long, long time… Endangered Species

In fairness, it’s been a terrible week for thousands of people…

Absolutely. Our thoughts are with everyone locally, and nationally, with all who have been affected by that ferocious storm… There are still thousands of people without power and water throughout County Roscommon and East Galway.

Our thoughts are with them all, and please God normal service will resume very, very soon.

(They pause to reﬂect for a moment on the hardship being experienced by so many local communities)

At least we had some welcome respite at the Hyde…

Yes! A very enjoyable day out for the three of us!

We’d have been lost without the Pub Bore, in fairness to him!

I know! Trying to follow all those new rules was quite a challenge!

The confusion didn’t stop you shouting down at Davy Burke, and the players, and the referee!

I was just advising them! The Pub Bore was feeding me the data, and I was relaying it to the sideline!

Embarrassing!

Far from it! Davy nodded his head in my direction at the ﬁnal whistle… then he spread his arms wide and gestured… I’m guessing he was pleased with all my input!

It’s been a GOOD week for…

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who was elected Taoiseach last Thursday as a new Government took ofﬁce two months after the General Election

Roscommon senior footballers, who began their Division Two League campaign with a seven-point win over Down Mercy College Roscommon, winners of the Connacht LGFA Senior Colleges ‘A’ ﬁnal last Thursday

It’s been a BAD week for…

Hundreds of thousands of householders, small businesses, amenities, etc., with Storm Éowyn causing massive damage and inconvenience (which is ongoing for many people)

McKeon

Popular Castlerea man dies in road accident

The man who died in a fatal collision in Castlerea on Monday evening has been named as Tommy Bruen, pictured right, who was a popular and highly respected member of the local community.

The road accident occurred shortly after 6 pm on Monday evening (January 27th). Gardaí and emergency services responded to a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on the R377 on the outskirts of Castlerea.

Mr Bruen, who was in his 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The motorist did not require immediate medical treatment.

The scene was preserved for a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators and the local Coroner was notiﬁed.

The late Tommy Bruen ran a bicycle shop and ﬁlling station in Castlerea for

many years, prior to retiring. He was very active in the community and his tragic death has led to deep shock in Castlerea and environs.

Castlerea-based councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice extended his sympathies to the family, describing the late Tommy Bruen as a very popular and well respected member of the community. Predeceased by his wife Mary, Mr Bruen is

mourned by his son Dara, daughters Grainne (Costello) and Caolinn, grandchildren, extended family and many friends.

The late Mr Bruen will repose at Gaynor’s Funeral Home, Castlerea from 5 pm to 7 pm on this Friday evening. After Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Castlerea at 11 am on Saturday, burial will follow in St Joseph’s Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

*Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the accident to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Castlerea Garda Station on 094 9621630, the Garda Conﬁdential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Mary’s N.S. Knockcroghery invites

to apply for enrolment for September 2025

Please email the school from the 1st of February expressing interest and the school will post you the relevant forms

Email: stmarysnsknockcroghery@gmail.com

Website:https://stmarysnsknockcroghery.ie/

OPEN EVENING

on 5th February from 18.30 to 19.30

Facilities include: Breakfast Club, Afterschool in GP Hall, Astro Pitch, Ballpool, Sensory Garden, Sensory Room, Occupational Therapy Room, Playground, New Basketball Court.

Principal - Mark Creavin

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PILATES

5 weeks course, commencing in The Cube Flexispace 29th January starting at 8pm ‘til 9pm. Suitable for beginners / intermediate levels. Bring mat and small cushion or Pilates block and water.

Booking essential – contact Martina 086 3846302 for further inquiries BOTH MEN AND WOMEN WELCOME

WEEKLY CLINIC AT THE HIVE, DUBLIN ROAD, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON EVERY WEDNESDAY.

WEEKLY CLINIC AT THE CUBE FLEXISPACE, LANESBOROUGH ROAD, ROSCOMMON F42 DX61 EVERY THURSDAY

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION TELEPHONE MARTINA: 086-3846302

Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí open evening 6th February

With over 50,000 students attending gaelscoileanna in Ireland last year, the growth, popularity and demand is clear to see in Irish Medium Education. Gaelscoileanna expose children to a second language, Irish, at a young age, facilitating them to learn with ease and, more importantly, to develop a grá for their native tongue.

We are fortunate to have our very own Gaelscoil, Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí, here in Athlone, located in Lissywollen.

According to national and international research, the advantages of attending a bilingual Gaelscoil like Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí include;

1. Greater academic success; students in Irish-medium schools have high achievement in both English and Maths.

2. Greater cognitive exibility and divergent thinking; students become more creative thinkers, with the ability to provide a range of valid solutions to a problem.

3. Easier to learn additional languages: our students develop both languages - Irish and English - and neither will be negatively a ected, nor will their learning progress in any other subjects.

4. Students gain a deeper appreciation of their culture which leads to increased selfesteem and sense of identity.

There are many more advantages of bilingual education which can all be explored on gaeloideachas.ie or on ceithremaistri.ie

where the numerous bene ts are outlined.

Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí boasts a modern, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly, hi-tech, hispec building with airy, bright and spacious classrooms, the school provides the perfect teaching and learning environment for teachers and pupils.

Sport is a huge element of life in Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí. Gaelic games – hurling, camogie and football as well soccer, basketball, swimming, golf, athletics and, as of two years

ago, the school’s very own kayaking club are all available to our eager and athletic cohort. Having a sizeable indoor hall, two very big yards and an excellent, modern AstroTurf compliments the teaching and learning environment, where great emphasis is placed on the outdoor physical education programme. Being situated next to the Athlone Town Stadium and Athlone GAA facilities along with a direct link to the greenway are added advantages to what is an already outstanding school.

Cumann na mBunscoil

THURSDAY

Dull sequel…

Having suffered from some kind of bug overnight, there was only one thing that could possibly cheer me up this morning. Yes, you’ve guessed it… Oireachtas TV.

Against my better judgement, I tuned in. In truth, I did so for reasons arguably at variance with those initially intended by the powers that be.

In not focussing on the actual politics (having instead tuned in for the circus), I feel a bit like the old ladies and children who used to attend the wrestling bouts featured on ITV’s World of Sport back in the 1970/1980s. But I digress.

Micheál Martin’s second coming as Taoiseach was a formality. Most viewers tuned in to see if there would be any repeat of yesterday’s childish behaviour, uproar which saw the new (and understandably rattled) Ceann Comhairle issue the political equivalent of GAA’s yellow and black cards, before opting for the red which led to a shameful 24-hour adjournment.

All members were on their best behaviour today, so this was like a dull sequel to an acclaimed movie thriller. Oh well.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY

Storm Éowyn

I began my ‘storm prep’ by turning what’s left of our old trampoline (now basically just a base) upside down. It was never going to budge after that, no fear that this now mostly redundant item would feature on social media on Saturday, bounding towards Knockcroghery via various ﬁelds.

Thereafter, I secured the bins, closed our windows, and waited for the storm after the calm.

Éowyn was brewing so aggressively from as ‘early’ as 9 pm, it was obvious we were in for something very ominous.

Our electricity went at about 5 am, returning 14 hours later, placing us in the ‘lucky’ category.

Like most people, we took a spin on Friday afternoon to view the damage. The storm caused carnage beyond

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

A (mostly) light-hearted look at the week that was… paul@roscommonpeople.ie

power cuts, with damage to buildings, and mass uprooting of trees.

Thousands of people in County Roscommon and east Galway (and nationwide) lost power, and water. Hundreds of businesses have been adversely affected locally.

Mind you, some businesses actually had a temporary boost. Once Storm Éowyn stopped baring its teeth, thousands of people ﬂooded into the county town, mostly into the embrace of fast food outlets and premises’ serving coffee, not to mention in desperate pursuit of mobile coverage!

*As we go to press, thousands of people in our readership area are still without power (some without water too). There is frustration, forbearance too, and some anger. We have extensive coverage in this issue. Our thoughts are with those affected.

SATURDAY

Seamus & Tommy

I could see that Leitrim writer (and actor-director) Seamus O’Rourke was nervous when introduced as a

guest on Tommy Tiernan’s Show tonight. He need not have been. His humanity and decency gently soared from his chair.

Just as we would have hoped, Seamus entered the distinguished pantheon of memorable interviewees. I’m a fan of Tommy’s interviewing style, but not every interaction is as riveting as popular wisdom might suggest. This one, however, was up there with the best, the chat between two like-minded men all the better for its simplicity, for the fact that both Tommy and Seamus appeared to be drawing from their own insecurities.

The best part was when Seamus spoke so rawly of his relationship with his late father. All over the country, middleaged men (some women too) looked into their hearts and perhaps salvaged something from their past.

SUNDAY

Winning start

I didn’t get to the Hyde today (due to a family commitment) but we saw TG4’s coverage while having a very nice Sun-

day lunch in the Percy French Hotel in Strokestown.

It does the heart good to see a player like Ciaráin Murtagh trying what he did, in scoring a sublime, long-range opportunist goal. Down goalkeeper John O’Hare was absent with leave. See our sports section for more.

MONDAY

No smiles…

Why do the audience members for ‘Upfront with Katie Hannon’ (RTE 1, Monday nights) almost always look so miserable? (Answers on a postcard, if you wish).

It’s no reﬂection on Katie, who is an accomplished journalist and a very nice person (we’ve met).

I don’t think the gloomy audience faces are any reﬂection either on the panels the producers put together… usually a mix of politicians, journalists/ assorted commentators.

Part of the problem is that the studio audience for ‘Upfront with Katie Hannon’ is too small in number/s; usually there are only about 30 peo-

ple there. It doesn’t generate any atmosphere. Generally they look like they’d prefer to be trapped in a lift with Nigel Farage and Joe Brolly (which may well be the case). Presumably this audience approach reﬂects RTE’s belief that an intimate gathering of carefully chosen people – who have some interest in the subject under discussion – will enliven proceedings and capture the attention of TV viewers.

But too often it looks miserable, as if RTE has pleaded with 30 people to donate an hour of their time for the greater good.

Maybe RTE should release the usually hyper audience from The 2 Johnnies’ Late Night Lock-In show into the ‘Upfront’ studio on Mondays. A bit of yelping and laughter wouldn’t go amiss. Then see what Peadar Tóibín and Matt Carthy (and company) make of that!

TUESDAY

Stirred, not shaken

It was the stirring of the tea that pushed some people over the edge. This is the world we live in now. I kind of get it. Maybe the Taoiseach’s persistent, almost robotic stirring of his tea (coffee?) while being challenged by Rachel Connolly in Castlerea today summoned comparisons (however unfairly) with Marie Antoinette’s alleged ‘Let them eat cake’ comment in the 18th century? On social media, people who sided with Ms Connolly – the Castlerea resident took issue with Micheál Martin over the Government’s handling of Storm Éowyn – expressed annoyance at the Taoiseach continuing to stir his tea/coffee during the exchange!

Here, their narrative apparently went, was a nation’s leader enjoying refreshments – stirring away to his heart’s content – while thousands of people are struggling without electricity/water.

Mr Martin listened to Ms Connolly, albeit with customary impatience at times. Then he responded (with some reasonable points). Then he sort of walked away, which probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do.

‘That’s politics’

Daly on being overlooked for ministerial position

 EMMETT CORCORAN

Dr Martin Daly, newly-elected Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway, was surprisingly overlooked when 23 Ministers of State were announced after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Deputy Daly had been hotly tipped to take up a junior ministerial portfolio in the Department of Health; however, he has missed out on this occasion.

Speaking to the Roscommon People on Wednesday, Deputy Daly accepted that being a ﬁrst-term TD was always going to make getting a ministerial appointment more difﬁcult, despite the high hopes of the local Fianna Fáil organisation.

“That’s politics. I am a newly-elected TD. The Taoiseach has appointed a strong front bench team and I intend to work hard to support that team”. Expressing disappointment for the constituency, Deputy Daly said: “Not on a personal level but for the constituency, I would be disappointed that it won’t have front bench representation. But there are many ways to represent your constituency and I intend to prove that you can be an effective advocate as a government TD without being a junior minister”.

Meanwhile, Boyle native and former Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan (Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim) was also amongst

those disappointed when the junior ministerial appointments were conﬁrmed.

Deputy Feighan was elected in two consecutive elections (in 2007 and 2011) for the constituency of Roscommon-South Leitrim. In last November’s General Election, he topped the poll in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency.

Neighbouring constituencies

The Ofﬁce of Public Works (OPW) will be overseen by Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran (Independent TD for Longford-Westmeath) from Athlone, returning to a familiar ministerial brief where he previously made headlines advocating for major ﬂood relief projects.

Economic portfolios have also been distributed, with Robert Troy (Fianna Fáil TD for LongfordWestmeath) taking responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions, and Insurance, and Niamh Smyth (Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan) focusing on Trade Promotion, Artiﬁcial Intelligence and Digital Transformation.

Meanwhile, Alan Dillon (Fine Gael TD for Mayo) will oversee Small Businesses and Retail, as well as elements of the Circular Economy under the Department of the Environment.

Marian Harkin (Independent TD for SligoLeitrim) is expected to take on responsibilities in Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, an increasingly relevant portfolio as the government ramps up efforts to address skill shortages in key sectors.

ON ALL SEASONAL STOCK

Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited community groups, rst responders and others a ected by the storm in Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon. Pictures: Michael Finan.

Dr. Martin Daly TD (centre) pictured when Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited community groups, rst responders and others a ected by the storm in Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon.

Pictures: Michael Finan.

‘Hyde’

a ﬁnalist in ‘Pitch of Year’

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh has been announced as the winner of the prestigious GAA Pitch of the Year award. Also winners of the title in 2022, the Cork venue edged out last year’s turf kings in Páirc Tailteann in Navan (runner-up).

The four ﬁnalists shortlisted in the 2024 Pitch of the Year were all visited by Seán Foran (Grounds Management, Croke Park) and Ian McClements (iTurf Management).

The other ﬁnalists were Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, St Tiernach’s in Clones and Páirc Tailteann in Navan.

newsbriefs

Bridge club results

Ivan Moran and Kevin Moran; Gross: Paula Whyte and Marian Byrne. (Section B) 1st: Michael Dolan and Kevin Coyle; 2nd: Kate Walshe and Mary Doyle; Gross: James Walsh and Ann Igoe. Kilbride Bridge Club – (22nd of January) 1st: Jane Hunt and Annette Ga ney; 2nd: Mary Kelly and Kitty Burke; 3rd: Sheila Macken and Margaret Scott. (15th of January) 1st: Annette Ga ney and Jane Hunt; 2nd: Anne Igoe and Gertie McDermott; 3rd: Bernie Fallon and Margaret Mullen.

Special Tree Healing Mass

ROAD WORKS SPEED LIMIT ORDER

Road Tra c Act 2004, Section 10

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 10 of the Road Tra c Act, 2004 that Roscommon County Council has made a Road Works Speed Limit Order to apply a Speed Limit as set out in the schedule below at the locations as set out in the schedule below.

Location

N5 Ballaghaderreen bypass to Frenchpark

R361 Frenchpark to Castlerea Road

N5 Frenchpark to Bellanagare Road

R369 Elphin to Garrynphort

N61 Boyle to Tulsk Road

L1412 Elphin to Lurgan

R368 Elphin to Strokestown

L1405 north of Strokestown

N5 Strokestown to Termonbarry

SCHEDULE

Commence the 60 Km/h speed limit on the N5, 1027m east of the L1244 junction, to 120m east of the L5625 Junction

Extend the existing 50 Km/h speed limit, where the current posted limit is increased to 80 Km/h heading out of Frenchpark to 300m northeast of the junction of the R361 and L56292

Apply a 60 Km/h speed limit starting 562m north of the junction of the N5 and L5641 to 310m south of the junction of the N5 and L5641

Extend the existing 50 Km/h speed limit, where the current posted limit is increased to 80 Km/h heading out of Elphin to 388m west of the junction of the R369 and L5753, beside the Main Site Compound

Commence the 60 Km/h speed limit on the N61, 420m north of the junction of the N61 and R369 at Shankill, to 23m north of the junction of the N61 and L6117

Apply a 50 Km/h speed limit on the L1412 starting 87m north of the junction of the L1412 and L1409 Killeen East and extending 979m south

Apply a 50 Km/h speed limit on the R368 starting at 80m north of the junction of the R368 and L1410 Kiltrustan Road to 442m south of the junction of the R368 and L6030

Extend the existing 50 Km/h speed limit, where the current posted limit is increased to 80km/h heading out of Strokestown to 238m north of the junction of the R1405 and L1414

Commence the 60 Km/h speed limit on the N5, 865m west of the junction of the N5 and R371 at Scramogue, to 264m east of the junction of the N5 and R371 at Scramogue

578671.035 Y = 787183.383

585074.792

Chairperson of the National Pitch Workgroup, Stuart Wilson, said: “All the grounds were assessed against more than 30 criteria including pitch playing quality, pitch presentation and performance as well as taking account of the resources available for management.

“The extreme weather conditions and very high usage levels made the preparation of pitches extremely challenging and the condition that these ﬁnalists achieved at the time of our visit highlighted the level of dedication and commitment of both the staff and volunteers involved.

“Given the exceptionally high standards demonstrated across all grounds and the incredibly close scores between the ﬁnalists, selecting a deﬁnitive winner and runner-up proved challenging. However, for 2024, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh was ultimately chosen as the winner, with Páirc Tailteann named as the runner-up”.

A Special Family Tree Healing Mass will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy on Friday, 31st of January, commencing at 8 pm. The celebrant will be Fr Luke Ohiemi. Confessions will be available from 7 pm and the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 7.30 pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Individual Blessings for Healing will take place after Mass. Refreshments will be available afterwards. All are most welcome. Eircode is N37W704. Any queries to 086 4054489.

Drum Heritage Group Table Quiz

Drum Heritage Group will hold a Table Quiz on Thursday, 30th of January at 8.30 pm in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. Entry for table of 4 is €40 (€10 per person). A ra e will be held on the night. An enjoyable night is on the cards! Please support.

Roscommon ICA meeting

Roscommon Town ICA Guild will hold its monthly meeting in Hannon’s Hotel on Tuesday, 4th of February at 8 pm. We are looking forward to seeing members there and as always new members are welcome to join. Activities include book club, bowling, outings, crafts and many interesting and informative guest speakers.

Ploughing Association’s Monster Table Quiz

Roscommon Ploughing Association are hosting a Monster Table Quiz in The Jailhouse, Castle Street, Roscommon on Friday, 31st of January 2025 at 9 pm. A ra e and auction will be held. Everyone is welcome for what promises to be an enjoyable night.

Remembrance Mass for past students

A special Remembrance Mass for all past students of the Convent of Mercy, CBS, and Roscommon Community College will be held in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, February 1st (St Brigid’s Day) at 3 pm. The organisers are delighted to have Roscommon Folk group sing at the Mass. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

The Road Works Speed Limit Order is to facilitate road improvement works and applies from 06th February 2025 to 05th February 2026. The Chief Executive shall have regard to any representations that are made to him in relation to this Road Works Speed Limit Order.

Greg O’Donnell Acting Director of Services Roads and Transportation Roscommon County CounciL

TEMPORARY CLOSING OF ROADS ROADS ACT 1993, SECTION 75 ROADS REGULATIONS 1994, ARTICLE 12

Roscommon County Council intends to close the road set out in the schedule hereunder for the periods and the reason speci ed.

SCHEDULE

Road Reference Townland Closure duration Section of Closure Proposed Diversion LS-6022 (East) Shankill 24th February 2025 – 25th April 2025

Length of closure 150m. Closure starts 150m from the LS-6022 Junction with the N61 and finishes at the junction head

Reason for Closures: To facilitate N5 Road Project

Roscommon County Council intends to close the road set out in the schedule hereunder for the periods and the reason specified.

Diversion will be via the LP-1412.

Objections in respect of the proposed closure may be made in writing to the Roads and Transportation Department or e-mailed to roads@roscommoncoco.ie to arrive not later than 5pm on Friday 7th February 2025.

Greg O’Donnell

Greg O’Donnell Acting Director of Services

Acting Director of

Services

The winner in the ‘Win a Home in Kildare’ draw which was held by Roscommon GAA was Thomas O’Brien, a Roscommon person living in Ashbourne, Co Meath. Pictured at King & Mo att Dr Hyde Park on Sunday were (left to right) Brian Mullen and Pat Compton (both of Roscommon GAA), Thomas and Mairead O’Brien, and Brian Carroll, Chairperson, Roscommon GAA County Board. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

The most recent results from the local bridge clubs are as follows: Roscommon Bridge Club – 1st: Valere and Pat Finneran; 2nd: Kitty Blighe and Tommie Murphy; Gross: Chris and John McGrath. Happy ‘71 Bridge Club – 1st: Olive Fahy and Judy Adamson; 2nd: Chris and John McGrath; Gross: Maurice Buckley and Larry Shine. Ballymurray Bridge Club (Charity Night in aid of the Irish Kidney Association) – (Section A) 1st: Patricia Keane and Rosaleen O’Hanrahan; 2nd:

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HSE insists Portiuncula Hospital remains safe amid maternity review

The HSE has assured the public that Portiuncula University Hospital remains safe and fully operational as an external review is launched into the care of nine babies delivered there, including two stillborn infants.

The review covers six deliveries from last year, one from this year, and two stillbirths in 2023. It was revealed that seven babies had Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a condition caused by reduced oxygen or blood supply to the brain around the time of birth. Six of those cases required neonatal cooling treatment.

On Tuesday, HSE West and North West Regional Executive Officer Tony Canavan acknowledged public concern but reassured expectant parents.

“We absolutely understand that today’s announcement, and the team that’s going into Portiuncula, creates additional anxiety for people that are hoping to have their babies with us in Portiuncula. But I would say that the hospital is safe, it’s continuing to provide services as normal”.

The team which Canavan referred to in his comments to RTÉ includes a consultant obstetrician, director of midwifery, and senior manager, who have

been assigned to work with hospital management to ensure safety.

Canavan noted the hospital had an unexpectedly high rate of referrals for brain injuries last year, with five cases of neonatal cooling and another that “probably should have been”.

He continued: “The incidence was probably six cases for the year. It’s a hospital that had around 1,300 births last year, and we would have expected the rate to be somewhere around one or maybe two cases referred”.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said she was “deeply con-

cerned” about the issues under review.

Speaking on Tuesday, the minister stressed the importance of transparency and timely investigations, acknowledging the trauma for affected families. She also noted that while recommendations from a 2018 review had been implemented and had stabilised the unit, new concerns arose in 2023 and again last year.

Expectant mothers attending Portiuncula University Hospital are being contacted and anyone with concerns can contact a helpline on 1800 807 008, to arrange follow-up contact from the unit.

Kerrane calls for clarity and certainty

Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane, pictured right, says that clarity and certainty is needed on the quality of maternity and newborn care delivered at Portiuncula Hospital.

She said that concerning incidents following the birth of several babies at Portiuncula Hospital, as confirmed by the HSE, is a very serious matter that warrants forthrightness and transparency, to assure expecting parents and the local community that the hospital is providing high-quality care.

is essential to ensuring that the reviews are robust and provide the assurances which are needed.

Deputy Kerrane said, “It is concerning that nine births at Portiuncula Hospital are under review, but I welcome the fact that the HSE has commissioned separate reviews into each incident. This is a very serious matter which warrants forthrightness and transparency.

Deputy Kerrane said that she had engaged with her colleague and party spokesperson on Health David Cullinane, and he has written to the Minister for Health seeking a briefing for local political representatives and Opposition Health spokespeople on the issue. She said that engagement with representatives from across the political spectrum

“Impacted families, expectant parents, and the local community will be very concerned by these developments. Clarity and certainty is essential for providing assurances to them that quality care is delivered at Portiuncula.

“My thoughts are with the parents and loved ones who are part of the review, who lost their baby, and to those for which this news story will bring back pain – the loss of a child is unimaginable”, she concluded.

Taoiseach rejects criticism of storm response during Roscommon visit

Pledges support for Lough Funshinagh community

Storm coverage: Pages 15-17

 SEAMUS DUKE

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says that the Government is “fully committed” to ﬁnding a long-term solution to the ongoing ﬂooding crisis at Lough Funshinagh.

Deputy Martin was speaking during a brief meeting he had with local residents and public representatives while on a visit to County Roscommon on Tuesday.

The Taoiseach said that he was taken aback by what he saw when he visited the Lough Funshinagh area some months ago to view the situation ﬁrst-hand.

He pledged the full support of the Government to help ﬁnd a permanent solution to the problem, while welcoming the recent development conﬁrming that a temporary pumping system will alleviate the predicament of residents in the short-term.

Present at the meeting were local residents Liam, Michael and Brid Kenny, Michael and Emily Beattie and Bernie Fallon. Local county councillors Laurence Fallon, Emer Kelly and Domnick Connolly were also in attendance.

At St Brigid’s GAA Clubhouse, the Taoiseach answered questions from the local and national media about the Government’s response to Storm Éowyn. Deputy Martin praised the role played by frontline staff and local authorities in terms of clearing roads and working to restore electricity, commu-

When visiting County Roscommon last Tuesday to meet people impacted by Storm Éowyn, Taoiseach Micheál Martin also had an informal discussion with residents a ected by the Lough Funshinagh ooding (also pictured are Roscommon County Council Chief Executive Shane Tiernan and local councillor, Laurence Fallon). Photo: Michael Finan

nications and phone services nationwide.

Mr Martin rejected criticism asserting that the Government response has been too slow.

Earlier in the day the Taoiseach was confronted by a woman in Castlerea who accused the Government of failing to prepare properly for Storm Éowyn.

Rachel Connolly from Cloonkeen told Deputy Martin that she had been without power and water for a number of days and had lost the entire contents of her fridge three times over the past year due to power outages. “We

are very, very frustrated” she told him. The Taoiseach said that the storm was the worst in 50 years and that the ﬁrst priority was to save lives.

The Taoiseach also travelled to Ballaghaderreen where he met with local ﬁreﬁghters and council workers. The CE of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan accompanied the Taoiseach on his tour of the county, as did Deputy Martin Daly.

Mr Martin visited community hubs in Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea and Kiltoom.

Thursday 6th February, 7-8 pm

Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited community groups, rst responders and others a ected by the storm in Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Kiltoom, Co Roscommon.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited community groups, rst responders and others a ected by the storm in Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon. Picture: Michael Finan.

FRANK BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique take on life ...

Brought (back) to book by once-in-a-lifetime storm

Our columnist Frank Brandon on returning to reading amid continuing power outages, the ferocity and fallout of Storm Éowyn, and an unusual incident that occurred recently in a Chinese barber shop

You might recall that last week I told you about Chapters – a huge bookshop I stumbled upon when out for a stroll in the centre of Dublin recently – and how amazed I was at the sheer size of the premises, and the fact that there were thousands and thousands of new and second-hand books for sale in it.

Anyway, I would probably never have mentioned books or bookshops again if Storm Éowyn hadn’t hit us with the ferocity of a Mike Tyson uppercut, getting rid of all the things that we now take for granted.

Our electricity, water, and phones are all gone since early Friday morning. As I write this on Monday afternoon, they tell us that we will be out until Thursday week (the 6th of February), which will be a day short of a fortnight. It’s hard to imagine that such a thing could happen in this day and age, but that seems to be the story.

So, with no telly or internet access, I decided to read a book. And as I read Joe Canning’s story from cover to cover, my mind went all the way back to my very young days, when my mother (Mrs B) had the library in Creggs.

Since those were the days before the advent of telly and a lot of other modern stuff like the internet and Netﬂix and social media, I suppose it was natural that people read a lot more. The number of parishioners that used to come to the library was amazing, with almost everyone arriving on their bicycles from all corners of the parish.

A man I remember well was Paddy Daly – a bachelor small farmer who lived about two or three miles out the Roscommon road, and who religiously changed his books every single week. As far as I remember you were only supposed to get two or three books at a time, but Paddy always had five or six, and he would have them wrapped neatly up in plastic, like a present, tied with twine and fitting securely on the carrier of his bike. I can still see him doing the wrapping on the library floor, after changing his books, before heading back home happy as Larry with his new reading material.

While the library was supposed to have ofﬁcial opening hours, the

truth is that Mrs B never enforced them; if someone called out of hours, Mrs B always let them in! Saturday was meant to be a closed day but it was one of the busiest days of the week – and for me it was a blessing, because I would be home from school and sent out to look after whoever it was that came. All that really meant was marking the old books back in and putting them back in the right places on the shelves, and marking the new ones out by simply stamping the date they went out.

But because I was there so often, it meant that I became an avid reader. As a child, it was all Enid Blyton and Billy Bunter books. And as I grew older, I got into westerns – Zane Grey was my favourite author. Zane Grey was a dentist who wrote numerous books, with the remarkable total of 112 of his books having been made into ﬁlms. He was one of the foremost writers of westerns of all time.

But I suppose the advent of television was the beginning of the end; reading numbers in Creggs began to dwindle and eventually the library closed. I sadly have to admit that I too fell by the wayside as a reader.

And so it was a pleasant surprise to ﬁnd that Storm Éowyn rekindled my reading gene after all these years. As I really enjoyed Joe Canning’s book, I now hope to revive my reading career – I wonder where will I ﬁnd a Zane Grey western?

Storm musings

Back to Storm Éowyn: it’s fair to say that in my lifetime I don’t remember any weather event that had the ferocity of this one.

On the Thursday night/Friday morning from about 3 am onwards, it was the loudest wind that I ever heard. It must have been what a hurricane sounds like. After a couple of hours I decided to move from the back of the house to the front, but it made no difference in the slightest. To all intents and purposes I was waiting for some major destruction to befall my little house. But amazingly all that happened was that a couple of trees in the ﬁeld at the back of the house came down, half the eave of the roof took ﬂight, a shed door came apart, and the garden took a fair battering. Overall, the damage was very minor.

On Friday evening, by which time we

were all without power, I decided I’d head over to Terry Leyden’s for a pint. I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the state of the wood road. By the time I got to the actual wood itself, I had barely made it under three trees that were right across the road, my windscreen had taken a good slap from a ﬂying ESB wire, and I suppose by then I should have turned back.

However, when a man wants a pint he has to keep going, and I’m glad I did because the wood road was like something you might see in a movie and I doubt if I’ll ever see the likes of it again. It was like a horror scene out of Armageddon; hundreds of trees down all over the place – and just enough room for a car to squeeze through – fallen trees ﬂanking either side of the road. Someone had cut a track through it, but just as I was thinking I’d make it all the way, the road was completely blocked at Jackie Flanagan’s house and I had to turn back. In my life I had never seen anything like it – but in a perverse way, I was glad I did – because if someone told me about it I wouldn’t have believed them.

Anyway, here we are four days in (as I write), and while it’s bad enough be-

ing without the ESB and the phones, I think the worst part is the lack of water. And as schemes all over the country are out, you would have to ask why they don’t have their own generators. Maybe it’s not possible –and if so, I apologise for asking – but if it could be done, surely it should be! As we are going to get more and more of these storms, we should be more prepared.

However, on a personal level, I have to say I don’t mind it that much. For those of us who grew up in the very early 1950s, we all had to draw water from the pump or the well and to do so again is actually a little bit enjoyable. Maybe life has got too soft for people and it’s no harm to get a little reminder that it wasn’t always this easy.

The other thing that I remember is that my granny used always have a kettle boiling on the open ﬁre, and I am now following suit by keeping a full saucepan of water boiling away on the kitchen stove.

And so, apart from the long, lonely dark evenings, it’s not too bad – but maybe come the 6th of February I might be very glad to have all my things back working again!

You have all heard about a bull in a China shop, but over in Nanyang in China, customers and staff in a barber shop got quite a land when a large cow burst through the front door, sending furniture and staff members ﬂying.

The cow had escaped from its owner as he tried to load it on a trailer, and took off before arriving in for a short back and sides.

Eventually the poor animal quietened down and was recaptured. His owner had to pay a ﬁne of about 140 US dollars, and the customers and staff got on with their business. Is it any wonder I don’t visit barber shops too often!

‘Til next week, bye for now!

Taoiseach Micheál Martin ( anked by Deputy Martin Daly, second left) pictured at St Brigid’s GAA Clubhouse on Tuesday during his visit to County Roscommon to meet people a ected by Storm Éowyn. Photo: Michael Finan

Trinity calling for local students

Five students from Roscommon were among 593 students who were awarded prestigious Entrance Exhibition Awards for the 2024/5 academic year from Trinity College Dublin.

The awards go to students accepted into the ﬁrst year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme who achieved the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent).

Many former awardees have gone on to make a signiﬁcant contribution to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond. Past exhibitioners include former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. The students come from 452 different schools and from 30 counties on the island of Ireland as well as 38 countries overseas. The awards were delivered at three ceremonies at Trinity’s Old Dining Hall, starting on January 21st 2025, to which the students and their principals were invited.

The ﬁve Roscommon students are Alyssa Beatty (Scoil Mhuire), Melissa Lavin (St Nathy’s College), Eolann Nugent (Elphin Community College), Abi Flanagan (Castlerea Community School), and Izidro Ribas Madruga De Vargas (Roscommon Community College).

Ann Marie Kelly Quali ed Audiologist (HAD, MISHAA)

Vicky Kelly Quali ed Audiologist (HAD)

Pictured is Eolann Nugent (Elphin Community College), who was among ve Roscommon students awarded the Entrance Exhibition Awards from Trinity College Dublin recently. Pic: Paul Sharp

Pictured is Melissa Lavin (St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen), who was among ve Roscommon students awarded the Entrance Exhibition Awards from Trinity College Dublin recently. Pic: Paul Sharp

Connaughton family grateful for support after storm shock

< PAUL HEALY

A Roscommon town family had a traumatic experience when part of an adjoining premises crashed into the roof of their house at the height of Storm Éowyn in the early hours of last Friday morning.

Michael and Paula Connaughton and their son Alan were in their home at Ardsallagh Mor (on the Athlone Road) when the dramatic incident occurred. At about 4.40 am on Friday morning, as Storm Éowyn raged, part of an adjoining building swept across the road and crashed into the roof of the Connaughton residence.

Michael Connaughton recounted details of the shocking incident to the Roscommon People: “The lights went at 4 am on Friday morning. We had woken up… then, at 4.40 am, we heard this indescribable noise. It felt like a plane had struck the building”. He continued: “We were completely shocked. We

Storm Éowyn: TDs encourage residents to seek financial aid

< EMMETT CORCORAN

Roscommon-Galway TDs

Dr Martin Daly (Fianna Fáil), Michael Fitzmaurice (Independent Ireland) and Claire Kerrane (Sinn Féin) have urged residents affected by Storm Éowyn to avail of the Government’s Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. The scheme, announced by Minister for Social

Protection Dara Calleary, provides financial support for essentials such as food, clothing, household items, and structural repairs.

Dr Daly emphasised that over 700,000 homes were initially left without power and urged residents to seek support.

“Recovering from an event like this takes time, and it is important that

those impacted know practical help is available,” he said, providing details of a designated helpline for urgent cases.

Deputy Fitzmaurice outlined the three-stage approach of the scheme, ranging from immediate emergency payments to long-term assistance for home repairs.

He added, “This scheme prevents hardship by ensuring those whose homes have been damaged can access financial help when they need it most”.

Updating constituents via Facebook, RoscommonGalway Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has been providing updates concerning the financial support available to those in need and the locations of emergency response hubs throughout the county.

Residents requiring assistance are encouraged to contact Community Welfare Services at 0818 60 70 80 or the weekend emergency line at 087 2895001.

made our way to the front of the house. It was obvious that something had struck the roof of the house and caused a lot of damage.

I thought it must be some large piece of iron or something, but we couldn’t see a thing as everywhere was in complete darkness”. When daylight came, the scale of what had happened became evident. It emerged

that part of the roof of an adjoining building had been blown about 70 yards across the road before landing on the roof of the Connaughtons’ house, causing extensive damage, including to a car in the driveway. Thankfully, nobody was hurt in the incident.

With steel girders striking the Connaughtons’ house, the impact caused severe

Statement from Castlerea Towns Trust in wake of storm

Castlerea Towns Trust was devastated to witness the huge amount of damage to the town’s Demesne in the wake of Storm Éowyn. Due to the extent of the damage the Trust is appealing to people to stay out of the Demesne as many of the paths are covered in fallen trees.All entrances to the Demesne have been closed to the public in the interests of the safety of all. The Trust has put a huge amount of work into building up the Demesne into a treasured facility for young and old right in the heart of the town.

“Surveying the damage on Friday morning was truly heartbreaking,” said Trust Chairperson Liam Scahill.

“We will be assessing the damage over the coming days and weeks, which we estimate will run into thousands of euro, and working with all agencies to try and get our beautiful Demesne back open again for the public to enjoy,” he said.

Mr Scahill added: “These are challenging times for everyone. We thank all of those working around the clock to get our communities moving again and we assure them all of our support. “We appeal to people to look out for each other, and we thank all those who have reached out to the Trust in the wake of the damage to the Demesne”.

damage, including to tiles, fascia and soffit.

Michael says the family now want to extend their thanks to Roscommon Fire Services and their neighbours and friends for all the support they have received.

“We contacted the emergency services at 9 am on Friday morning, and the response was very quick. We are deeply grateful to

all involved for this prompt response.

“Roscommon Fire Service were excellent. They secured the roof throughout Friday and made the situation safe. They were brilliant. We want to sincerely thank the Fire Brigade and also thank our neighbours and friends for all the help, support and empathy shown to us”.

MEPs press for EU support, 17 generators on way

Ireland’s response to the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn has seen appeals for EU support, emergency assistance measures, and calls for long-term infrastructure investment.

Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly appealed to the European Parliament for urgent support to rebuild Ireland’s infrastructure, which he described as “battered and beaten” by the storm.

Addressing a Regional Development meeting, Mullooly called on EU Commissioner for Cohesion Funds, Raffaele Fitto, to prioritise funding for infrastructure repairs: “Our people are in bits without water and electricity today, and it is shocking in 2025 that we find ourselves in this position”.

Mullooly also thanked Commissioner for Crisis Management Haja Labib for her engagement on the matter, as discussions continue in Brussels.

As the week went on, MEP Mullooly welcomed confirmation that the EU is to send 17 EU power generators to Ireland, something he had been calling for since the storm struck.

His fellow Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh also welcomed the EU’s emergency assistance in the form of the provision of those 17 power generators. A total of 13 generators are being provided through the EU’s rescEU reserve, with an additional four supplied by Denmark.

Walsh praised the EU’s swift response: “This storm is a wake-up call. While our immediate focus must be on restoring power and water, we need to future-proof Ireland by investing in stronger infrastructure and sustainable systems”.

MEP Walsh also highlighted the activation of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, which is providing environmental mapping and risk assessments to assist Irish authorities.

The scene at the Connaughton family home after part of an adjoining premises crashed into the roof of their house at the height of Storm Éowyn

Storm Éowyn caused a huge amount of damage at the popular public amenity at the Demesne, Castlerea.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is flanked by Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice (left) and Deputy Martin Daly (right of picture) during his visit to Castlerea on Tuesday where he met with people affected by Storm Éowyn

STORM OF THE ABOUT 9,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES

STILL WITHOUT POWER IN THE REGION

SPECIAL REPORT

Emmett Corcoran

Almost a week on, the people of County Roscommon and the people of Ireland are still dealing with the fallout of Storm Éowyn.

Early last Friday morning, January 24th, a Status Red wind warning came into effect for the whole island of Ireland as the nation braced for what was predicted to be the worst storm to hit the island on record.

According to meteorologists at Met Éireann, the storm was the worst on record going by every metric since meteorological records began. Ireland’s western seaboard and midland counties, including Roscommon, bore the brunt of the force of the storm.

Roscommon has been one of the most badly affected counties in the country. Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the county on Tuesday to meet members of the public and emergency responders.

Deputy Martin visited the Emergency Response Hub (ERH) set up to provide the public with access to basic services in D’Gaff Community Centre on Barrack Street in Castlerea, met with ﬁreﬁghters in Ballaghaderreen and also visited the ERH at St Brigid’s GAA Centre in Kiltoom.

Storm Éowyn struck with gusts measuring up to 183 km/h and caused widespread damage to property including homes, businesses and community facilities. Sadly it also led to the loss of one life, with 20-year-old Kacper Dudek in Donegal being killed when his car was hit by a falling tree as he returned home from work on Friday morning. Widespread power outages and mass disruption to telecommunication services continue across the county and the country as the Roscommon People goes to print on Wednesday evening.

There was extensive property damage reported across Roscommon and in surrounding counties with damage to family homes, farm buildings, businesses and community facilities being widespread. The 300-year-old Elphin Windmill was damaged, with its iconic sails being ripped from the structure in the high winds.

Extensive damage

The storm also downed hundreds of trees across the county with extensive damage reported at the Demesne in Castlerea, Loughnaneane Park in Roscommon Town, Mote Park outside of Roscommon Town, and at Roscommon Golf Club, where dozens of trees were damaged.

According to Club Captain Robert McConn, Roscommon Golf Club saw between 70 and 100 trees being downed on the course and in the woods. But there has been a massive volunteer response and thankfully there was no major structural damage to the course infrastructure such as greens and tee boxes. It is hoped to have a limited number of holes playable on a restricted basis by this weekend.

According to Eilish Feeley of the Mote Park Conservation Group, Coillte began work on harvesting damaged trees at Mote Park on Tuesday morning.

Castlerea Towns Trust said it was devastated to witness the huge amount of damage to the town’s Demesne in the wake of Storm Éowyn.

“Surveying the damage on Friday morning was truly heartbreaking,” said Trust Chairperson Liam Scahill.

In Ballyhaunis, the €3.1m Connacht GAA Air Dome was destroyed by the storm.

In Roscommon Town, there was signiﬁcant damage caused to a family home on the Athlone Road (see separate story on page 15). Across Roscommon, roofs were blown off farm buildings. The Irish Farmers’ Association said that the storm had “wreaked havoc across the country”.

Disruption and initial response

Roscommon County Council, ESB Networks, Uisce Éireann and Irish Rail have been working around the clock since Storm Éowyn hit on Friday to undo the disruption caused to local power supplies, water supplies, road networks and rail networks.

Nationally, ESB Networks reported 768,000 customers had been hit with power outages. Virtually all local and regional road networks were affected by fallen trees.

Mobile phone customers across Roscommon, East Galway and West Longford continued to report disruption to phone and internet services as the Roscommon People went to print on Wednesday evening and approximately 9,000 customers in County Roscommon and surrounding areas remain without power. The majority of these are scheduled to have power restored by Friday, January 31st, but some customers in more remote areas are being given estimates as far out as February 5th in relation to when they can expect to have power restored.

In the initial days following Storm Éowyn, restoration efforts were slowed signiﬁcantly by damage to the telecommunication networks, with phone and broadband services taking multiple days to be restored across the country. Over the weekend, continued severe weather also slowed the initial response.

On Friday, Roscommon County Council’s phone

services were down and many thousands of residents were left without phone or internet service to check for updates.

Ireland West Airport Knock was non-operational from 4 am until 1 pm on Friday with normal service not being restored until later that day, as the knockon effects of the storm continued to impact on ﬂight schedules.

Community hubs

Monday saw the scheduled monthly meeting of Roscommon County Council going ahead. Members of the council were advised that the local authority was at the time working with approximately 15 community groups (this number has since more than doubled) around the county to set up hubs where people can access basic services such as water, food, phone charging, broadband access and showering facilities.

The groups involved will be assisted ﬁnancially by the local authority.

On Tuesday, it was announced that power restoration efforts were receiving an international boost as it was conﬁrmed that the European Commission would supply 17 power generators to Ireland and support crews from the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Finland and the UK began arriving to support ESB Networks’ power supply restoration efforts. Rail services in the west continued to be affected through to Tuesday with the Ballina/Westport routes impacted due to ongoing widespread power outages.

As we go to print on Wednesday, the number of organisations providing community hubs for those affected by ongoing power outages in Roscommon has grown to over 30. That’s according to Roscommon County Council’s website where a full listing of the hubs and the services available at each one are detailed. Many of the hubs are offering shower-

ing facilities and Wi-Fi access to the public free of charge.

Local communities rallying together

As residents of Roscommon and surrounding areas continue to reel from the effects of Storm Éowyn, communities and businesses across the country have rallied to support those most impacted.

A Local Co-Ordination Group led by Roscommon County Council and including input from community organisations has seen communities the length and breadth of Roscommon rally together to ensure those worst affected by Storm Éowyn can access basics such as water, hot food, showering facilities, and broadband access.

Towns, villages and townlands across west Roscommon and East Galway such as Loughglynn, Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen, Glenamaddy, Creggs and Williamstown have been some of the worsthit areas, many of them facing days-long water and power outages. Over the weekend, local group water schemes worked tirelessly to get generators in place at water scheme pump stations to restore water supplies to rural areas.

As water outages continue across the region, alternative water supplies have been deployed in Williamstown, Ballinameen, Boyle, and Castlerea with boil water advisories. Additionally, boil water notices remain active in numerous areas across west and north Roscommon in the aftermath of the storm.

Local volunteers, in conjunction with Roscommon and Galway County Council crews, worked to clear trees from the local road networks on Friday and through the weekend.

Hospitality

Hannon’s Hotel in Roscommon Town offered free accommodation to staff working at Roscommon University Hospital on Thursday and Friday. When contacted by the Roscommon People

The scene at Roscommon Golf Club, where a large number of trees were felled by Storm Éowyn. Photo: Michael Finan

Storm damage in Castlerea. Photos: Bernie O’Farrell

CENTURY!

Damien Hannon told us that they accommodated approximately 25 hospital employees on Thursday night but suffered total loss of power, gas, heat and phone service following the storm and had to close on Friday night. They reopened on Saturday following the restoration of power and like many hotels in the county have been providing accommodation to ESB Networks crews and essential workers.

Geraldine Grealy, Marketing Manager at the Abbey Hotel located in the Abbeytown area of Roscommon Town, noted that the hotel was fortunate to have had a generator in place and could provide services to the public throughout the storm and recovery periods. While their phone and internet services were impacted temporarily, they were able to continue to trade.

“We were glad to be able to provide local healthcare workers, remote workers and families with small children with a warm, safe haven during the storm and in the days since. Members of the public are welcome to charge their phones, medical devices, store medicines and avail of meals,” Ms Grealy told the Roscommon People. “We have to acknowledge the tremendous support of our hard-working staff, without whom we would not have been able to provide these essential services during the storm and in its aftermath”.

Ann Dalton (90) left her home in Knockcroghery on Sunday and checked into the Abbey Hotel to avail of the comfort.

“There’s great comfort… I was living by candlelight at home after the storm. No electricity, no phones, no television, no internet. Every hotel in the town was booked out Friday and Saturday”.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Ms Dalton said she hoped to be able to return home as soon as possible but quipped that she wouldn’t mind ho-

tel living for a month if she had to, as long as her friend didn’t mind feeding her four adopted cats!

Businesses impacted

Across the region, dozens of businesses faced prolonged power outages with the disruptions causing longer than expected closures. The impact of extended closures is being felt mainly in rural areas with some suburban areas also affected.

The Abbeytown area of Roscommon Town endured some of the most prolonged power outages in the county town with power being restored to the main commercial area of the suburb on Tuesday.

Declan Molloy of Molloy’s Bakery spoke to the Roscommon People and despite being without power until Tuesday, he highlighted the exemplary effort and work of ESB workers, some of whom he had been speaking with over the weekend. Mr Molloy added: “Thanks to the hard work of staff we were able to fulﬁl essential preorders ahead of the weekend but unfortunately we lost out on the weekend’s trade and a fair bit of stock”.

Mr Molloy noted that because storms and power outages are becoming more frequent, they will have to “seriously consider” acquiring an industrial-scale generator to run the substantial bakery operation during future power outages: “We reckon a 110KVA would be the minimum we’d need, and we have started seeking tenders”. In Dromod, Cox’s Steakhouse was temporarily closed following damage caused to their gas tanks by falling trees during Storm Éowyn and continued power outages. However, the establishment was due to reopen today (Thursday) following restoration of power on Wednesday. The Cox family has directed local people in

need of charging facilities to their nursing home, Shannon Lodge, in Rooskey.

The Brandywell and The Copper Still restaurants have reopened following the storm and are providing charging facilities to the public.

Elphin Mart was closed on Monday, again due to an ongoing power outage. Multiple schools across Roscommon that are impacted by continued power outages have also remained closed in the early part of this week.

GAA Air Dome

Connacht GAA’s Air Dome was destroyed by the high-speed winds, as the destructive Storm Éowyn levelled the €3.1m facility near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.

The Air Dome was ofﬁcially opened in January 2022 and has hosted GAA games at inter-county, school, club and college levels. The venue is used extensively by teams around Connacht. Mercy College Roscommon won a Connacht title there the day before the storm (see page 36).

Connacht GAA members had checked the site at 2.30 am on the night of the storm; however, Connacht GAA conﬁrmed that there were thankfully no members of staff onsite when the damage occurred, and no injuries had been reported.

Connacht GAA said: “Thanks to everyone for their support. It is our full intention to rebuild this magniﬁcent facility as soon as possible”.

*The Roscommon People remains committed to supporting all those affected by Storm Éowyn and we hope all businesses and community groups can get back to operating at full capacity as soon as possible.

*If you have a story to share about the impact Storm Éowyn has had on you or your business/community group, please contact news@ roscommonpeople.ie

Emergency Community Hubs

· Boyle Family Resource Centre (F52 H674): Charging, Wi-Fi, water, warm spaces, teas/ coffees. Open 9 am – 5 pm.

· Boyle GAA Club (F52 FT67): Hot water, showers, and changing facilities. Open 5 pm – 7 pm.

· Boyle Training Options (F52 HY38): Charging, water, warm spaces. Open 9:30 am – 2 pm.

· Ballaghaderreen Fire Station (F45 Y680): Water tanker available for local use.

· Ballaghaderreen FRC/The Shambles (F45 EW98): Charging, Wi-Fi, water, warm spaces, teas/ coffees. Open 9 am – 5:30 pm.

· Castlerea D’Ga Community Centre (F45 WT35): Charging, Wi-Fi, water, cooking facilities. Open 11 am – 8 pm (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday).

· Castlerea Celtic FC (F45 A379): Hot/cold water and phone/device charging points. Open 9:30 am – 5 pm.

· Castlerea Family Resource Centre (F45 K282): Charging, Wi-Fi, water, warm spaces, teas/ coffees. Open 9 am – 6 pm.

· County Childcare Committee O ces, Castlerea (F45 P959): Phone charging, workspace with internet access, tea/coffee. Open 9 am – 5 pm.

· An Chistin Food Hub, Castlerea: Kitchen available for heating food. Open until 6:45 pm (Wednesday).

· Roscommon Cube Flexi-Space/LEADER Partnership O ces (F42 YE97): Remote working, Wi-Fi, hot water. Open 10 am – 5 pm.

· Roscommon Leisure Centre (F42 PY52): Free showers. Open 6 am – 9 pm.

· Roscommon Lisnamult Sports Complex (F42 W207): Free showers and charging facilities.

· Athleague Community Centre (F42 P440): Charging, power, and water.

· Ballybay Community Hall, Kiltoom (N37 Y4X7): Power, internet, and water.

· Ballyleague-St Faithleach’s GAA Clubhouse (N39 TH77): Charging phones and medical devices, boiling water, tea/coffee. Open 2 – 4 pm and 7 – 9 pm.

· Castlecoote Community Centre (F42 KH66): Charging, tea/coffee, water, oven/hob/ toaster/air fryer. Open 5 – 8 pm.

· Cloonfad Community Centre (F35 XT32): Power and internet access.

· Dangan Community Centre (N41 T6K1): Power and water.

· Drum Community Centre (N37 T298): Phone charging and boiling water for flasks. Open 9 am – 2 pm.

· Elphin Community Centre (F45 K336): Charging, water, teas/coffees, warm spaces. Open 10 am – 2 pm.

· Fuerty GAA, Mulhern Park (F42 X625): Power, cooking, showers.

· Kilbride Community Centre (F42 N277): Charging, water, teas/coffees, warm spaces.

· Kilglass Gaels GAA (N41 YC44): Showers, hot water, phone charging. Open 10 am – 4 pm.

· Kilmore GAA (N41 A3E7): Charging, tea/coffee, showers, warm spaces.

· Michael Glavey’s GAA (F45 RW71): Charging and showers.

· Oran GAA, Rock eld (F42 CD50): Charging, cooking, showers. Open from 6 pm.

· Padraig Pearses GAA, Woodmount (H53 E398): Phone charging, showers, hot/cold water.

· St Brigid’s GAA Club, Kiltoom (N37 WK60): Phone charging, showers, hot/cold water. Open 8 am – 4 pm and 6 – 10 pm.

· St Michael’s GAA/Ardcarne Park Community Complex (F52 X886): Charging points, Wi-Fi, remote working area with heating, kitchen and shower facilities. Open all day.

· Strokestown GAA Clubhouse (F42 XE72): Phone charging, medical devices, boiling water, showers.

· Tawnytaskin Community Centre: Power, internet, and water.

· Tulsk Digi-Hub (F45 W985): Power, internet, and water. Open 9 am – 5 pm.

Dozens of trees were damaged or destroyed at Mote Park (outside Roscommon Town). Photo: Michael Finan

FarmingPeople

Minister Heydon invites proposals for Agri-Food Tourism initiatives

New Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has issued a call for proposals for AgriFood Tourism Initiatives under the 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF).

Minister Heydon said: “Tourism and the agrifood sector share close ties and complement each

other well. This funding provides support towards the development of agrifood tourism initiatives to help rural businesses develop their products and services, connect with the community and visitors and improve the rural experience.

“2024 saw some great projects developed under this scheme. I am sure

2025 will build on with opportunities to progress projects further and create new experiences.

“Ireland’s agri-food sector is one of the main drivers of Ireland’s economy, especially in rural and coastal areas. Guided by the Food Vision 2030 strategy, we continue to develop links between

local food and tourism offerings. This includes backing for business development and marketing initiatives to support and promote food and drink visitor attractions”.

Total funding of almost €300,000 is available for projects supporting agrifood tourism initiatives which may also include

450 lots presented for sale on Thursday last (23rd of January) with trade and prices maintained as per the high levels obtained the previous week.

The bullock ring had quality stores make up to €4.11 a kilo with heavier lots making up to €2230. The heifer ring had stores making up to €4.25 a kilo with heavier lots making up to €2080.

The weanling rings with more lots on o er had heifers peaking at €4.83 a kilo while the bulls topped out at €4.27 a kilo. Cows with calves at foot made up to €2320 with springers making up to €2010. Calves made from €300 to €540 with runners making from €300 to €1230 a kilo. Dry cows topped out at €2870. SAMPLE PRICES

BULLOCKS: AA 440kgs €1810 Lm 485kgs

€1770 Ch 445kgs €1710 Lm 445kgs €1660 Lm 535kgs €2000 Lm 535kgs €1990 Ch 535kgs €1990 Ch 500kgs €1850 Lm 585kgs

€1960 AA 575kgs €1940 Ch 625kgs €2150 Ch 685kgs €2230 Sh 660kgs €2020.

HEIFERS: Lm 390kgs €1660 Ch 395kgs

€1590 Ch 335kgs €1350 AA 475kgs €1780 Ch 480kgs €1770 AA 600kgs €2080 Her 590kgs

rural food markets. The maximum amount payable to any project is €25,000. Applications should be made via the Call for Proposals application form which is available on the Department’s website. Closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Monday, 24th of February 2025.

€1930 Ch 500kgs €1840 Ch 535kgs €1810.

DRY COWS: Ch 890kgs €2870 Ch 790kgs €2380 Ch 745kgs €2180 Sim 745kgs €2260 Fr 665kgs €1740 Sim 665kgs €1840 Lm 540kgs €1550 AA 615kgs €1650. Cows with calves at made from €2150 to €2320. Springers made from €1040 to €2010. CALVES: Young calves made from €300 to €540 with stronger lots making up to €700. Runners made from €300 to €1230 for continental lots.

WEANLING BULLS: Lm 275kgs €1060 AA 245kgs €860 Ch 435kgs €1860 Lm 410kgs €1650 Ch 440kgs €1550 Lm 380kgs €1480 Lm 385kgs €1400 AA 520kgs €1790 Lm 305kgs €1330 Lm 325kgs €1280 Lm 315kgs €1120.

WEANLING HEIFERS: Ch 275kgs €1250 Ch 240kgs €1150 Ch 265kgs €1140 AAx 285kgs €1010 Lm 270kgs €1110 Sim 385kgs €1640 Sim 335kgs €1620 Ch 325kgs €1310 BB 330kgs €1260.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart every Thursday with our weekly sale of bullocks, heifers, cows, calves, runners and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am with viewing from 10 am.

€225 while stag ewes topped out at €248. The next sheep sale takes place Wednesday, February 5th. The yard opens at 8 am, and all stock must be penned by 10 am. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID tag set. The sale can

be viewed live on livestock-live.com. Hoggets, sample prices: 54.8kgs-€225€4.11 per kg, 50kgs-€210- €4.20 per kg, 55.5kgs-€210-€3.78 per kg, 52kgs-€200€3.85 per kg, 49.5kgs-€195-€3.94 per kg, and 45kgs- €186-€4.13 per kg. Cast ewes, sample prices: 102.5kgs- €248€2.42 per kg, 99.5kgs-€234-€2.35 per kg, 92kgs-€220-€2.39 per kg, 89kgs-€204-€2.29 per kg, 74kgs- €188-€2.54 per kg, and 70.6kgs-€166- €2.35 per kg.

Guest speakers (l-r) Richie Gordon, Executive O cer at Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Sarah Woodmartin, Teagasc, Dr Frank Campion, Teagasc, Miriam Parker, Livestockwise, Seamus Fagan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Pat Clarke, Regional Manager, Teagasc pictured at the National Sheep Conference 2025 in the Ard Rí Hotel, Tuam on Tuesday hosted by Teagasc, The Agriculture and Food Development Authority. Photo: XPOSURE.ie

Local job creation increase as 150 jobs created by Roscommon LEO in 2024

Local Enterprise Office Roscommon-supported companies created 153 jobs in 2024. This figure was up significantly from the 128 jobs created by LEO Roscommon in 2023.

The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Roscommon supported clients in 2024 was 91, which takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.

The new figures also show that LEO Roscommon financially supported 164 small businesses in their portfolio across the county and these companies in turn employ 1,038 people.

LEO Roscommon has been instrumental in delivering significant job creation in the past 12 months by supporting new and growing businesses and by securing new clients for the An Ríoga enterprise facility in Boyle and the An Chistin Food Hub in Castlerea.

LEO Roscommon has also been to the forefront in supporting new and existing local businesses through a range of initiatives such as the Start Your Own Business Programme,

Grow Digital, Energy Efficiency Grants and supporting local business in the use of AI and other new technologies.

Louise Ward, Head of Enterprise at LEO Roscommon said the results “are a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of Roscommon’s business community”.

She added: “These results show that Roscommon businesses, with the support of the Local Enterprise Office, have not only sustained themselves but have also taken advantage of opportunities to grow.

“These figures represent only a part of the supports provided by the Local Enterprise Office which include Training, Mentoring, Sustainability, Digitalisation and Efficiency programmes, as well as financial assistance.

“Later in March, we will acknowledge our thriving local business sector at our annual Local Enterprise Awards, as part of Local Enterprise Week. Many of our past winners have enjoyed success at regional and national level”.

“Local Enterprise Office Roscommon and Roscommon

County Council, with the support of Enterprise Ireland look forward to supporting the business community in Roscommon again in 2025 to identify opportunities for both new and growing businesses and to help them

overcome any challenges they face”, said Ms Ward.

Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, Shane Tiernan said the results reflected “the importance of our small businesses to the economy of

the county, and demonstrates the potential we have within the county.

“Roscommon County Council has invested significant resources in building the enterprise infrastructure in recent years. We

anticipate facilities such as An Chistin Food Hub in Castlerea and Monksland Innovation Hub will continue to drive the growth of start-up and scaling businesses.

“Local Enterprise Offices, which are located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have been the firststop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses, providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to guide businesses at any stage of their development.

“LEOs also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards. The Local Enterprise Offices also help small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business”, concluded Mr Tiernan.

Castlerea’s An Chistin one of five local nominees for prestigious LAMA awards

Five groups and individuals from County Roscommon have been nominated for the prestigious LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) awards, which take place in Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on Saturday, February 22nd.

The All-Ireland Community and Council awards recognise outstanding community and voluntary engagement through business, environment, cultural, social and housing initiatives which support community and voluntary groups in a consistently exemplary fashion.

Last year, two groups from Roscommon were honoured at the awards. The ‘Roscommon Water Source’ campaign was successful in the ‘Best Green Sustainable category’ as a blueprint for improving and monitoring water quality. The concept emerged from the efforts of the environment section of Roscommon County Council in conjunction with the National Federation of Group Water Scheme (NFGWS) in engaging a Source Protection Project over a number of group water schemes within the county.

The county was also successful with the Castlerea Rose Festival, which was recognised as one of the country’s pre-

mier tourism attractions. The festival is a seven-day event that includes the Rose of Castlerea Festival, live music, a Hospice fundraising triathlon, exhibitions of inflatable art pieces, and a fireworks display.

Among this year’s five nominees are the Lough Funshinagh Rise and Thrive Project in the Best Mental Health category and Roscommon Community Transport in the Best Community Transport section. In the Best Town or Village Regeneration category, the Roscommon Public Realm Enhancement Programme has also been shortlisted.

The county’s two remaining nominees are Bernie Kearney from Fourmilehouse, whose lifetime record of community engagement has been recognised in the Community Volunteer of the Year category. The county’s fifth and final nominee is Castlerea’s An Chistin Food Hub in the Best Enterprise and Start-Up Hub awards.

The total cost of this project was €3.7m with in excess of €2.7m funding from the Department under RRDF support (Rural Regeneration Development Funding). Just under €1m was provided in matched funding from Roscommon County Council.

Roscommon LEO supported clients Black Hen Designs, Rita Oates Artist and Lydia Clayton Goldsmith all exhibited at the Showcase exhibition, Ireland’s largest national Trade Show for the Craft Sector in the RDS, Dublin earlier this month.

An Chistin Food Hub is one of five nominees representing Roscommon at the forthcoming LAMA awards in Cork next month. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Fox Physiotherapy and Pilates Clinic – new Roscommon location!

Fox Physiotherapy and Pilates Clinic ofﬁcially have a new local location, with services now being offered in Donamon, Co Roscommon (F42NX33). To celebrate, all bookings that quote ROS2025 will get 10% off until April 1st 2025.

Eimear Fox, owner of the Kilbeggan-based physio and Pilates clinic, graduated as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 2009.

For the last sixteen years Eimear has been helping clients fall in love with Pilates – both on the mat, and more recently, on the reformers. She works passionately as a pelvic health physiotherapist while also working as lead physiotherapist with the Westmeath senior camogie team. Eimear has also trained extensively in women and men’s health and is the Mummy MOT practitioner in the midlands for all postnatal concerns.

As a chartered physiotherapist Eimear is both CORU registered and a member of The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, so you’re guaranteed to be in safe hands. At Fox Physiotherapy, the approach is all about you, your goals, and your recovery.

Eimear also teaches mixed level Pilates classes on Wednesday nights at 8 pm, and Mum and Baby Pilates on Wednesday mornings at 10.30 am.

With both classes taught by a chartered physio, reimbursement is available from most health care providers. These classes are suitable for all levels of ﬁtness, both men and women. Pilates is an excellent way to improve strength, ﬂexibility, mobility, breathing and coordination as well as to retrain movement patterns which might be the cause of pain. Classes are kept small – a maximum of 12 on mat – so you’re

Now offering services in Dunamon, Co Roscommon, F42NX33

guaranteed to get personal attention. This individual attention makes Pilates classes suitable for everyone – including clients with chronic back pain, pregnant women, and older clients.

For more information, visit eimearfox.physio, phone 057 9332264, or email physiokilbeggan@gmail. com.

Now offering services in Dunamon, Co Roscommon, F42NX33

Now offering services in Donamon, Co. Roscommon F4NX33

All

All services provided are redeemabe with

providers

Book your consultation with Eimear Fox. Ph: 0579332264

Location:Dunamon, Roscommon F42NX33

Location: Donamon, Roscommon F42NX33

Location:Dunamon, Roscommon F42NX33

RT Fitness are holding Group Exercise Classes in two locations – Glinsk GAA Club and Creggs RFC. Contact: Richael Timothy on 085 8834328 for more information.

Eimear Fox, Chartered Physiotherapist pictured with a client at her studio in Donamon, Roscommon.

Slimming World Castlerea group moves to Saturday mornings ...

Slimming World Consultant Trish Keegan is celebrating seven years running a very successful group in Castlerea town in the O’Rourke GAA Centre.

Due to popular demand, Trish is delighted to announce that she will be moving the group to a Saturday morning, starting on the 1st of February at 9.30 am. Trist says members have had terriﬁc success in losing weight over the years, going on to achieve their personal target weight. The weight losses in the group vary from one to as much as eight and a half stone in losses per member. One member who has had wonderful success is Emma who has lost 3.5 stone in just 15 weeks.

Emma contacted Trish in October 2024, having seen her group Facebook page, and in local newspaper ads. She had gained weight after spending a period of time putting the needs of others before her own, but with Christmas and a new year looming, she decided to ‘bite the bullet’ and join her local group in Castlerea.

Trish assured Emma that she would get the help and support that she needed in group, and once she had attended her ﬁrst group and installed the member support app, she rediscovered her passion for cooking and was blown away by the wide variety of delicious recipes and supports available.

Emma’s view

“In the early weeks, the member app and food diary were my guide and kept me grounded. I wrote down every morsel of food that I ate until I became familiar with my allowances and became more conﬁdent to make the right substitutes in recipes for my liking. Not everyone likes turnips

or butternut squash” she laughs.

She also remarks: “Group is so important to me. I picked up some great tips from other members in the early days that really helped me. Seeing other people at different stages of their journey having great successes really spurred me on. Even seeing another member I know, Katie, that ﬁrst day… I hadn’t seen her in months, and when I saw how much she’s lost, it made me feel all the more determined to at least try.

“At first, I was afraid to go outside of my comfort zone, and in the first two weeks I ate the same three healthy meals for the whole two weeks, along with my additional healthy snacks. The results on my first two weeks’ weighs-in made me feel even more determined to persevere. One stone, two and a half pounds gone!”

Emma started dipping in and experimenting with new recipes because she was afraid that if she didn’t, she would grow tired of eating the same thing and might give up.

“I had to help myself and believe I could. I said things out loud in group that I was too afraid to admit to myself. The support I got from the whole group blew me away, and that was it. The band aid was ripped off, and my worst fears were said out loud. And it was free-

ing for me. I do my very best to attend group every week.

“And of course, knowing that I can reach out to my wonderful consultant, Trish and the group members… that support is invaluable and even more of a reason to attend the group sessions. You never know who you will meet or what you discover about yourself along the way”.

Before long, Emma started to feel so much better in herself.

“I was sleeping better, even my skin, hair and nails felt healthier. I am at the point where I am starting to feel better in my clothes too. This is spurring me on to continue. I sometimes get a glance of myself in a window or something and I do see the differences. Of course I can have a bad day too. But, even when that happens, I’ve learnt that it is just one day and tomorrow is a blank sheet of paper, waiting for me to start again”.

Emma has learnt to make more of an effort to pick healthier options when she is out and about socialising, and in some weeks where she had social events and enjoyed treats, she still lost weight.

“I now realise that it can be done. The plan is deﬁnitely sustainable in the long-term. There is a huge choice and always something new to try. Since following the Food Optimising plan, I have become aware of which foods trigger me back to old habits, and I’ve developed strategies to deal with this”.

Emma is thoroughly enjoying the plan and can’t imagine Slimming World not being part of her journey.

“The best decision I ever made was stepping

through the door to my ﬁrst class. If I can do it, anyone can”.

Saturdays

The group will run on Saturday mornings from 1st of February at 9.30 am. Trish will be running a special free membership offer for all new and rejoining members, meaning that they will pay just €10 on their ﬁrst week.

Trish can be contacted on 087 8581325, or members can just pop in on Saturday.

Is Joint Pain getting

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ENTERTAINMENT Culture&ARTS

To feature in this section, call 090-6634632 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

A creative exploration of memory, place, and storytelling

A new Creative Ireland-funded project, The Cherry Blossom Tales, is bringing the past to life in Ballaghaderreen through storytelling, photography, videography, and creative exploration.

Led by author and multidisciplinary artist Dr Anna King, and supported by Roscommon County Council, this initiative invites TY students from St Nathy’s College, under the guidance of teacher Karen Munnelly, to reimagine the history of their town through a series of immersive, creative nonfiction workshops.

At the heart of the project stands Dillion’s last remaining cherry blossom tree, a silent witness to generations past. Once part of Anne Deane’s garden, figures such as John Blake Dillon, James Dillon, Éamon de Valera (former President of Ireland) and Michael Davitt gathered beneath the tree’s can-

opy, sharing conversations, ideas, and dreams.

Through February to April, students will step into this lost world – not physically, but through imagination, historical inquiry, and artistic response. They will work with photography, videography, creative writing, and audio storytelling to bring their visions to life; capturing the intangible echoes of memory that still linger in the landscape.

As April transitions into May, the project takes on a new dimension. As cherry blossoms bloom and drift on the westerly wind, so too do stories, ideas, and fleeting memories. In these final workshops, students will explore how history is not only recorded, but also felt – how it moves through landscapes, through nature, and through us.

The culmination of The Cherry Blos-

Victoria Walker Dance School students earn a spot at Dance World Cup 2025

A team of dance students from the local Victoria Walker Dance School has qualified for a place at the Dance World Cup 2025 finals, which will be held in Spain in July 2025.

The school teaches classes in Boyle, Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballinamore. They are one of only eight dance schools in Ireland to pass the qualifier level and represent the country as part of Team Ireland.

Principal Victoria Walker said, “The global standard is very high with over 120,000 dancers from 66 countries competing each year, so it was a welcome surprise to find that we qualified for the finals in Spain this July.

“I’m already immensely proud of the dedication and resilience that my students have shown in getting through to the World Cup Finals, which is a great achievement in itself. Team Ireland is small, but we hope to make a big impact and look forward to the students performing and supporting our fellow Team Ireland dancers at the nine-day event”, she commented.

The Victoria Walker Dance School team is now seeking sponsors and will be undertaking fundraising efforts to support their trip to the Dance World Cup. Those interested can also follow their journey on Instagram and Facebook.

som Tales will be a public event and exhibition in May, where student creations – photographs, recordings, visual artwork, and stories – will be shared with the wider community. This will be a unique opportunity to experience the students’ interpretations of Ballaghaderreen’s past through a contemporary, creative lens.

Dr Anna King (PhD, MA, BA) is a published author and multidisciplinary artist whose work blends creative prose, photography, and contemplative art practices. In 2024, she completed a residency with Creative Places Ballaghaderreen, funded by The Arts Council, Ireland, and she is delighted to once again have an opportunity to work with St Nathy’s College students. For further information and project updates, visit annaking.ie/the-cherryblossom-tales/introduction.

Night and Day unveils family-friendly events for this year’s festival

The family-friendly schedule for Night and Day 2025 has been unveiled as excitement builds for the fourth year of the highly anticipated festival. Night and Day takes place in the nature lover’s paradise of Lough Key Forest Park, County Roscommon on 27-29 June and has become one of the best small festivals in the country. Families are a very important part of our festival community. The emphasis each year is firmly on participation and creativity. Kids get the opportunity to partake in a diverse range of activities and workshops. Whether it be dancing, foraging, circus skills, or puppetry, there is something to ignite the imaginations of all who are lucky enough to attend. Those attending the festival can also avail of zip-lining, kayaking and nature trails on offer in Lough Key Forest Park.

Creative Director of Night and Day Declan Hurley said: “We are delighted to offer an extended programme of activities this year. Along with some familiar favourites, we have added new performances and activities that cater to the whole family”.

Headline acts throughout the weekend include: Jose Gonzalez, KT Tunstall, The Wailers, The Stunning, Lisa Hannigan, Joshua Burnside, Daithi, Bog Bodies, Dug, Frank, Skinner, Yard, Shark School, Dark Isle, James Keegan and Jester.

Pictured is the Victoria Walker Dance School has who have qualified for a place at the Dance World Cup 2025 finals. Pictured in the back row are Eleanor Harney (Cootehall, Roscommon), Grace Kenefick (Croghan, Roscommon), Pippa Supple (Boyle, Roscommon), Aela Cassidy (Cootehall, Roscommon), and Maye Supple (Boyle, Roscommon), and pictured in the front row are Clara Cullinan (Ballaghaderreen), Lexi Mullaney (Riverstown, Sligo), and Ruby McDonagh (Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon).

TY students from Roscommon Community College, who won three titles at the 2024 All-Ireland TY Drama Festival, were honoured at a recent Civic Reception in Roscommon Arts Centre. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Cherry Blossom Tales, is bringing the past to life in Ballaghaderreen through storytelling, photography, videography, and creative exploration

Sharon Ryan (Roscommon LGFA Games Development Officer), Emma Dixon (sponsor of U-14 bags), Declan Walsh (Roscommon LGFA Chairperson) and Norman Lenihan (Roscommon LGFA Secretary) pictured in Hannon’s Hotel at the recent Roscommon LGFA underage medal presentation. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Roscommon LGFA underage medal presentation in Hannon’s Hotel were the 2024 U-14 team and management along with Laura Mannion. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Roscommon LGFA underage medal presentation in Hannon’s Hotel were the 2024 U-16 team and their management along with Laura Mannion. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Declan Walsh (Roscommon LGFA Chairperson) pictured presenting a token of appreciation to Tommy Keane (2024 U-14 manager) in Hannon’s Hotel at the recent Roscommon LGFA underage medal presentation. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Declan Walsh (Roscommon LGFA Chairperson) pictured presenting a token of appreciation to Albert Looby (2023 and 2024 U-16 manager) in Hannon’s Hotel at Roscommon LGFA’s recent underage medal presentation. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Declan Walsh (Roscommon LGFA Chairperson) pictured presenting a token of appreciation to Martin Mulvihill (2023 U-14 manager) at the recent Roscommon LGFA underage medal presentation in Hannon’s Hotel Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh.

We are pleased to announce that we have recently agreed terms for approx 178 acres farm in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon

DUE TO 6 PROPERTIES SALE AGREED IN THE LAST MONTH AND MANY AGREED WELL ABOVE ASKING PRICES –WITH ONE EXCEEDING BY NEARLY 40%

WE ARE URGENTLY SEEKING PROPERTIES IN THESE AREAS FOR DISAPPOINTED UNDERBIDDERS

PLEASE CONTACT KEITH ON 086 0848590

With demand at an all time high we now have a list of disappointed farmers seeking lands for the upcoming season IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LET YOUR LANDS PLEASE CONTACT CATHAL 086 1409158

Roscommon-Galway Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has accused the Government and Fianna Fáil in particular of presenting misleading housing figures to mask what he de-

Mullooly’s new role on Housing Crisis Committee

Midlands-NorthWest MEP Ciaran Mullooly has been appointed Vice Chair of the European Parliament’s new Housing Crisis Committee.

In a press statement, MEP Mullooly said that this appointment provides a platform for him to bring Ireland’s housing issues to the forefront of EU policy-making.

Mullooly announced he will visit Navan, County Meath, on Friday, 14th of February, to meet with residents and hear their housing-related concerns. “If you have a housing issue or suggestion, I want to hear from you,” he said.

scribes as a failure to address Ireland’s housing crisis.

Highlighting a drop in housing completions, Fitzmaurice called out what he views as “spin doctoring” aimed at distorting the reality of the situation.

The (outgoing) Government recently reported 60,243 housing commencements in 2024, but Fitzmaurice pointed to the stark contrast in completions, which fell by 6.7% in 2024 to 30,330 homes. He described this as a worrying trend given Ireland’s growing population and escalating housing needs.

“Fianna Fáil has been touting the commencement of 60,000 homes, but the reality is 2024 saw only 30,330 new homes completed, a decline compared to 2023,” he said.

“The spin doctors have been kept busy, but this is no time for PR exercises when housing and homelessness are the country’s number one issue”.

Fitzmaurice criticised the Government’s focus on announcements over outcomes, stating, “It’s not just about starting projects; it’s about finishing them and making sure they’re available for people to live in”.

He accused Fianna Fáil of prioritising headlines over meaningful progress, leaving struggling citizens without the housing solutions they desperately need.

Keith McLoughlin of Remax Team Earley is pleased to advise that he has closed the sale of a cosy two-bedroomed house, located at Ballysundrivan, Elphin, Co Roscommon. This charming former school, known as ‘Boherroe School’, is in solid condition and offers a unique living experience.

The house features a bright front porch, a welcoming hallway, a spacious and bright sitting room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a family bathroom, with an overall floor plan of approximately 1,000 square feet. Outside, there is a beautiful mature garden at the rear, providing a real oasis of tranquillity. Remax Team Earley would like to take this opportunity to wish the new owners the very best of luck with their new home. Remax Team Earley would also like to advise that they are currently urgently

seeking residential properties in the Elphin area for disappointed underbidders.

For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact Remax Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon on 090 66 26579, email teamearley@remax.ie, log onto teamearley.ie, or contact one of the auctioneers directly by calling Cormac on 086 3519492, Cathal on 086 1409158, or Keith on 086 0848590.

Boherroe School located at Ballysundrivan, Elphin, Co Roscommon.

Classifieds

 ALCOHOLICS

ANONYMOUS: Roscommon Town Group, Castle Street, Roscommon. Eir Code: F42 RP21 (1st Floor).

Meetings: Tuesday 8pm to 9pm, Wednesday 1pm to 2pm, Thursday 8pm to 9pm, Friday 8pm to 9pm, Saturday 8pm to 9pm, Sunday 12 noon to 1.pm.

CHIMNEY CLEANING COMPLETE CHIMNEY SERVICES

Specialising

Telephone:

CHIMNEY CLEANING

• Power brush and vacuum technology for cleaning chimneys, stoves, ranges and open res

• Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods CCTV CAMERA INSPECTIONS

• Can be cleaned from the bottom up • Chimney cowls and

Mobile Footcare

Professional and friendly footcare in the comfort of your own home.

Kathleen Wynne MCFHP, MAFHP Foot Care Practitioner 086 3562718 kathleenwynne63@gmail.com www.kathleensmobilefootcare.ie

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon 087 9268424 stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

ROSCOMMON DRIVING

Are you a ected byAnger Issues, Bullying, Bereavement, Con dence/self-esteem issues, OCD, Stress, Depression, Eating disorders Panic/Anxiety, Relationships, Exam pressure, Sexual Abuse Contact: Billy 094 96 59966 Mobile: 086 0675433 or visit www.billybrogan.com

in Roscommon town TEL. 087 2295551

FENCING/GATES

FOR SALE: S easoned hardwood logs. Tel. 086 8237630.

 FOR SALE: 2-piece suite. 3 seater and 2 seater in good condition. Good, clean car. Non smoking, non animal house. Tel. 086 1963690.

Glynis on 085 2514394 email: downeyglynis@yahoo.co.uk web: www psychotherapy glynisdowney.com

TRAILER SERVICING & REPAIRS

to all makes & models (LED Lights, Brakes, Re-Wiring, etc.)

Call TrailerFix on 086 4041875 Rooskey, Co. Roscommon • Certi ed Arborists

Tree Surgery

Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member. Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165 www.parklaw treeservices.com

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Christopher Dunne, am applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to refurbish dwelling house to include alterations to elevations, to construct new side extension to same, and to carry out all ancillary site development works at Corracoggil North, Lisacul, Co. Roscommon, F45 P865. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the

and such submissions or

Unit 6, Ballypheason House, Circular Road, Roscommon, F42 C982. Ph: 090 6634365. Mob: 085 1299470. E: james@jlce.ie & elaine@jlce.ie Web: www.jlce.ie Planning & Design Consulting Engineers

Design Consultation Planning Applications

New Build, Extend, Renovate

Bespoke Design Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural 086 3482387

info@moleskinarchitecture.com

facebook.com/moleskinarch

ROSCOMMON COUNTY

COUNCIL

I, John Larkin, am applying to Roscommon County council for planning permission for proposed development located at Tearmon Beg, Tarmon, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. The development will consist of the construction of an 4 pen double bay, dry bed calf rearing shed, together with associated site works. Total oor area of shed is 233.5m2, total height of shed 6.82m.

Signed: John Larkin.

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Bernadette Crowe, intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for retention of dormer type extension to rear of dwelling, and domestic garage/store to side of dwelling, associated works and services at Manor, Tulsk, 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 o ces 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.

 LABOURER AVAILABLE to do fencing, concreting foddering, tidying, cleaning drains and chopping rewood – any odd jobs. Also, repair works to stone walls. Tel. 087 9235745.

PROPERTIES TO LET/ RENT/WANTED

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

YARD SUPERVISOR

MONDAY to FRIDAY and every second Saturday

of the Branch Manager Marion Cunningham

SEND YOUR CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT TO advertising@roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

SENIOR SERVICE ADVISOR

Are you a SENIOR SERVICE ADVISOR looking for a new challenge? Then this is the perfect role for you!

Dermot Hughes Cars are now seeking a Senior Service Advisor to work in our Service Department.

Main Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Ensure the highest and most efﬁcient standards for our customers.

• Ensure dealer standards are maintained.

• Scheduling customer vehicle service bookings by phone, email, walk-ins in conjunction with managing the bookings diary.

• Determining workshop availability for service, maintenance, and repair work.

• Advising and agreeing with customers on additional work or costs.

• Leading & managing the workshop team to ensure maximum efﬁciency.

• Responsibility for maintaining and developing key client relationships.

• Collaboration with other departments to achieve common business goals.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Experience in a service role, ideally within the motor industry.

• Excellent people management & leadership capabilities.

• Maintaining exemplary customer relations.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Proven problem-solving experience.

• Organised and structured approach to work with proven ability to multi-task.

• Work closely with all teams and departments to contribute positively to the vision, culture, and customer experience.

If you interested in joining the team and believe you have the necessary skills, we would be excited to hear from you. Please submit your Curriculum Vitae to ahughes@dermothughescars.ie or you can call Annita on 087 8050907

BRENDAN DOOLIN Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds. Mobile: 086 8115928

Posts and Panels, Decorative Stone, Bark Mulch, Power Washing and Waste Removal.

CONCRETE:

DIGGER: Foundations, Land Drainage, Ditch and Hedge removal

PODIATRIST

Tullys

Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Sarah Fleming

CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI

●

Sarah will be in Tullys Totalhealth Pharmacy, Castlerea on Monday and Friday and Boyle Totalhealth Pharmacy on Tuesdays. For

and

PODIATRIST

 FOR SALE: Turf and rewood for sale. Tonne bags. Excellent quality turf and rewood at €50 per bag delivered. Call Tom 086 2628439.

 FIREWOOD + TURF: High quality seasoned split hardwood timber, suitable for stoves and open- re. Turf also available in bulk tonne bags. Call 086 3312411

To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us!

(Monday to Saturday) Also available in Boyle

Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain. Orthotics prescribed By Appointment Only

Electrician Available

Safe Electric Registered. Domestic and Industrial, All work considered. No Job too small. Phone Paul 086 2553153 or email: p0862553153 @gmail.com

ANIMAL CARE/VETERINARY

Acceptance of an advertisement or payment therefore is not to be taken as implying guarantee that the advertisement will be published. The right is reserved to refuse to insert any advertisement, without giving any reason; also to discontinue the publication of any advertisement previously published, without compensation for any loss or damage claimed for non-publication. Publication of an advertisement cannot be guaranteed on a speci c 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 paper. 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 inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement.

HYNES Brian (Bernard)

Dunmore / Killyan, Newbridge, Co. Galway 18 January 1945 – 13 December 2024

We, Brian’s children Kevin, Helena, Brian, Catherine and Máire, together with his extended family, wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who sympathised with and supported us following his unexpected passing in December.

We wish to thank Professor Donal Reddan and the Nephrology Team at Merlin Park Hospital for their expert care and kindness. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Catherine Sweeney and the sta at Dunmore Medical Centre for their compassionate care. Our thanks also to Frank and Carmel Comer, whose kindness towards Brian was sincerely appreciated. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Noel Walsh of Howley Undertakers for his professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail throughout every stage of the Funeral process. Our sincere thanks are also extended to those involved in Brian’s removal and repose, particularly Albert, John and Peter Comer. We are grateful to the gravediggers, whose sensitivity in preparing Brian’s nal resting place beside his beloved wife, Bridie, was sincerely appreciated.

We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to Joan MacDonnell and the Dunmore Choir for their beautiful and uplifting liturgical music during both the removal and the Funeral Mass.

Our thanks to the sacristan, the readers, the servers and the Ministers of the Eucharist.

We also wish to extend our gratitude to the ushers of Knock Shrine for their attendance at, and assistance with the Funeral ceremonies.

We wish to express our sincere thanks to Fr Fergal Cunnane for his kind attention to Brian, his ongoing support to our family, and his compassionate and heartfelt celebration of the Funeral ceremonies.

We are deeply grateful to Archbishop Emeritus Michael Neary for concelebrating the Mass with Fr Fergal, and for his comforting words during the ceremony, which provided immense solace and strength to our family in a time of great sadness. The Mass was also concelebrated with Brian’s lifelong friend, Fr Louis Lohan of St Patrick’s Church, Newbridge; his presence was deeply appreciated by our family.

Our gratitude extends to all who sent cards, letters, messages of condolence, and owers, and to the many friends and neighbours who supported us in various ways during this di cult time. We are very grateful to all who attended the Funeral ceremonies; we particularly appreciated the presence of Brian’s many neighbours and friends from Newbridge and the surrounding parishes. Our sincere thanks are extended to the INTO members who provided guards of honour during the removal and Funeral. We are also grateful to JD’s Bar and Screenes’ Bar and Lounge, for their assistance with the catering arrangements. Our neighbours on the Green have been exceptionally supportive and kind to us as a family; they also deserve particular thanks for their care and attention towards Brian in the years following Bridie’s death in 2014. There are many others whose companionship, kindness, and support to Brian during his life and towards us following his passing deserve recognition. Please accept this acknowledgment as a token of our deep appreciation. The Holy Sacri ce of the Mass will be o ered for your intentions.

NAUGHTON

Gerard Melitta Park, Kildare Town. Who died 4th February 2019 (6th Anniversary) Rest In Peace

On the 6th anniversary of Gerard’s death his wife Julie, children David and Sinead and extended family remember Gerard with love.

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

A Mass will be celebrated in memory of Gerard.

DALY

Patrick (Pat) 28 Beechgrove, Roscommon. (3rd Anniversary) Who passed away on 5th February 2022

Deep in our hearts your memory is kept, to love and cherish and never forget.

Loved and sadly missed by Niall, Martina, James, Daire, Leah, Mikey, Ian and Jon.

Patrick’s Anniversary Mass will take place in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on 5th February at 11am.

RAFTERY (née Coyle)

Betty

Hyde Court, Roscommon Town Died on 4th February 2024 (R.I.P.)

We, Betty’s daughter Siobhán, son-in-law Eamon, grandchildren Leanne and Darragh, brother Noel, sisters Mary, Catherine, and Patricia, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews and extended family wish to express out heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support, kindness, and generosity; shown by our family, friends, and neighbours, on our sad loss.

A sincere thank you to all who sent Mass Cards, and messages of condolence, and all who made donations to Roscommon hospice in memory of Mum, all of which meant a great deal to us. We extend our gratitude to everyone who travelled to be with us, those who visited our home, attended the reposing, and joined us for the Funeral Mass and burial. Your presence and support meant more than words can express.

A special word of thanks to Dr Valerie Morris, her sta , and Rosmed Pharmacy for their care and kindness to mum over the years. Special thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and sta in the Galway Clinic. We are especially grateful to Roscommon Palliative Care team who showed mum such dedication throughout her illness.

A special thanks to Ursula whose care and compassion were constant sources of comfort. Words cannot express our gratitude.

Our deep appreciation to Mum’s carers Maura, Tracey, Margaret and Miriam who looked after Mum so well.

We would also like to thank Pat, Gillian and John Smyth, Smyth’s Funeral Directors, for your compassion and professionalism and to the grave diggers who prepared her nal resting place. Also, thanks to the Abbey Hotel for such a lovely meal after the burial.

To our Mum’s dear friends Pat Kelly, Carmel Durr, and sister Catherine, brother Noel and Evelyn, for your endless love, compassion, and support to Mum and us all, we are forever grateful.

We wish to express our sincere thanks to Fr. Joe Fitzgerald for all the prayers at our home and at Mum’s Funeral Mass. Heartfelt thanks to Aileen O’Connor for the beautiful music and singing which made the Funeral Mass so special.

We are especially grateful to all Mum’s neighbours and all our friends who brought food and refreshments, and helped at our home. Thanks to all who directed tra c and parking at her home. Special thanks to all who formed a Guard of Honour on her nal journey from her home to the Church the morning of her Funeral Mass. This gesture touched us profoundly and will remain in our hearts.

As it is impossible to mention everyone individually, please accept this as a notice of our appreciation to you all.

Betty’s First Anniversary Mass will be held in Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon, on Sunday 2nd February 2025 at 11.30am.

MONTH’S MIND

BEATTIE (née Devine)

M aureen Turville, Roscommon

Who passed away on Thursday 2nd January 2025

We, the family of the late Maureen Beattie, would like to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who showed their sympathy, kindness and support during our recent sad loss.

We wish to thank all those who attended Maureen’s removal, Funeral Mass and burial. Thank you to all that called to the house brought food/refreshments and to those for the phone calls, messages, sent Mass cards and those who conveyed condolences online. We would like to give a special thanks to close friends and good neighbours who supported us during Maureen’s nal days and since Maureen’s passing.

A heartfelt thanks to those who cared for Maureen in her home, who went above and beyond their duties to care for Maureen and make her nal days as comfortable as possible. A special thank you to Dr. Harrison, RosMed Pharmacy and the Community Palliative Team, who were so caring, kind and compassionate to Maureen in her nal days.

To Pat, John and Gillian at Smyth’s Funeral Undertakers for their professionalism, guidance, kindness and attention to detail that was showed to Maureen and the family.

Our sincere thanks to Fr Kevin Fallon for his support and guidance in preparing for the Funeral Mass and for helping us celebrate Maureen’s life throughout her Funeral Mass and burial. We also extend our thanks to Fred Mulryan who provided the beautiful music and singing at Maureen’s Mass. A special thank you to those who prepared Maureen’s nal resting place with such care and detail.

Thanks to the Abbey Hotel and sta for the lovely meal and hospitality.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our sincere thanks and appreciation. The Holy Sacri ce of the Mass will be o ered for your intentions. Maureen’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd February at 9am in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon.

RAFTERY Fidelma

Oakland Hotel, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway who sadly passed away on 3rd January, 2025

We, the family of Fidelma, wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of sympathy, kindness and support shown to us during this time of profound loss, as we mourn our beloved Fidelma, a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law and friend. We deeply appreciate the family, friends, neighbours, customers and work mates who o ered condolences in person, travelled long distances and took the time to be with us. We also thank those who gave owers, sent Mass Cards, letters and text messages, who made phonecalls and left condolences on RIP.ie and to all those who joined us online and were with us in spirit.

We extend special thanks to our local and neighbouring Priests, to the gentlemen who did tra c control and the people who held the Guard of Honour from Moylough to Glenamaddy when we brought Fidelma home. Thanks to members of Glen Celtic Club who walked alongside us on our way to the Church, and to Seamus and Terry for the beautiful music at the Church. Thanks to Pat and Caroline Coneran, Funeral Directors for their profound care and professionalism in helping us prepare for Fidelma’s Funeral.

Please accept this acknowledgement as a sincere expression of our appreciation and gratitude. The Holy Sacrice of the Mass will be o ered for your intentions.

Fidelma’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 31st January at 7 pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Glenamaddy.

HEVICAN

Mary Bridget

Lisnamult, Roscommon (29th Anniversary)

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

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

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

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 1st February at 10am.

Rogers Funeral Directors

Rooskey

(Covering Rooskey and surrounding areas)

Mobile: 087 2365453

Landline: 071 9638739 email: jrrogers40@hotmail.com

RAFTERY

Michael

Circular Road, Roscommon (11th Anniversary)

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.

Love, Mary and family.

DAD

Remembering you is easy, I do it every day.

Missing you is a heartache that never goes away. Love, Sandra.

GRANDDAD Loving and kind gentle and true these are the memories we have of you. Love, Darcie and Daniel.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church Roscommon on Saturday, 8th February at 10am.

HANLEY

Paddy (Patrick)

Carnamaddy, Lecarrow, Roscommon 03/04/1935 - 29/01/2024

(Acknowledgement and 1st Anniversary)

One year has gone since my wonderful brother, Paddy, passed away suddenly doing what he always liked to do, and surrounded by people he loved. And, on this occasion, on behalf of my son Martin and nephew Patrick James, I would like to acknowledge the overwhelming kindness and support shown on this sad occasion.

Thanks to the paramedics, the doctor on duty, priest and neighbours for the rst response.

Thanks to Fr. Ray Milton for celebrating a lovely Funeral Mass, also to Aileen O’Connor and Alistair Beegan for the beautiful music and to Peg for the Reading.

A big thanks to Pat Smyth’s Funeral Directors, for the outstanding help and support at such short notice and also thanks to the restaurant sta in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon for the lovely dinner.

Thanks for all the online condolences, Mass Cards, phone calls, visits and letters of sympathy from far and near, and to all that attended the Funeral Mass and burial. Thanks also to those who for some reason whatever, couldn’t take part, but thought of him.

A special thanks to my cousin, Eamon, for his great help and support.

Thanks also to Pat Di ey who made it possible for Paddy to enjoy his favourite pastime – draft net shing. Thank you to all our wonderful, caring cousins, neighbours, relatives and friends.

Thanks to Phil Feely for the lovely Obituary in the newspaper and also a big thank you to Gearoid O’Brien for the great article of Appreciation in the Westmeath Independent, he would have loved to read it! Finally, a word of thanks to Kathryn Hannon, for the great and timely achievement that made him surely ‘rest in peace’.

God called your name so softly, that only you could hear.

And no one heard the foot steps, of angels drawing near.

The gold gates stood open, God saw you needed rest: His garden must be beautiful. He only takes the best.

Send your Classiﬁed advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

Paddy’s Anniversary Mass will take place on Sunday 2nd February at 11.30 a.m in St. John’s Church Lecarrow ‘Suaimhneas Siorai’

THANKSGIVINGS

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

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

PRAYER TO ST. EXPEDITE

For urgent need...

Our dear martyr and protector, Saint Expedite, you who know what is necessary and what is urgently needed. I beg you to intercede before the Holy Trinity, that by your grace my request will be granted. (Clearly express what you want and ask him to nd a way to get it to you.) May I receive your blessings and favours. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. If Saint Expedite grants your request, place fresh owers beside his statue in your home or in the church. Also place an ad in the newspaper thanking Saint Expedite, so that his name and fame will grow. L.M.

MIRACULOUS PRAYER TO ST. EXPEDITE

“My Saint Expedite of urgent and just causes, please intercede for me with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Succor me in this hour of a iction and despair, my Saint Expedite. You who are a Holy warrior, You who are the Saint of the a icted, You who are the Saint of the desperate, you who are the Saint of urgent causes, Protect me, Help me, Give me Strength, Courage and Serenity. Hear my plea. (Clearly express what you want, and ask him to nd a way to get it to you.) My Saint Expedite, help me to prevail through these di cult hours, protect me from all those who want to harm me, respond to my plea with urgency. Bring me back to the state of peace and tranquillity, my Saint Expedite. I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life and I will speak your name to all those who have faith. Amen.” (Now promise to give Saint Expedite a speci c o ering when your desire is granted.) (Say one Our Father, one Holy Mary, and make the sign of the cross.) M.H.

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

Sports PEOPLE

The case for the attack!

Allianz Football League Division

Two: Louth v Roscommon at the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda on Sunday at 2 pm

 SEAMUS DUKE

After last weekend’s exciting win against Down at Dr Hyde Park, Davy Burke’s side will be hoping to keep winning when they face Louth in what looks a formidable challenge in Drogheda this Sunday.

Around the grounds in Division Two

Down v Cork in Newry on Sunday (1 pm)

Cork opened their campaign with a good win last weekend against Meath. This weekend they make the long trip to face Down who were well beaten in the end by Roscommon. A tough game to predict. Cork staying unbeaten looks the better bet.

Prediction: Cork.

Meath v Cavan in Navan on Sunday (2 pm) Both sides were beaten last weekend. A tight match in prospect here. With home advantage, Meath might have the edge.

Prediction: Meath.

Monaghan v Westmeath in Clones on Sunday (2 pm)

Monaghan will be very happy to have started their campaign with a win against old rivals Cavan last weekend. Westmeath were unlucky against Louth but may struggle in Clones.

Prediction: Monaghan.

– Seamus Duke

Roscommon’s record against Louth over the years has been very good, but the Wee County have improved signiﬁcantly over the past two years and within their ranks they have several outstanding players, not least current All-Star Craig Lennon and outstanding full-forward Sam Mulroy.

An indication of just how competitive this division is was clear for all to see in Mullingar last Sunday when Louth scraped past Westmeath by just two points when sub Sean Reynolds scored a ﬁsted goal in injury-

time to give his side a two-point win. Louth ﬁelded a strong team – which included Lennon and Mulroy – and Roscommon will need to be at their best to cope with the home side on Sunday. Other Louth players to watch out for will be Andy McDonnell, Ciaran Downey and Peter Lynch. It will be interesting to see what starting 15 Davy Burke and his selectors opt for on Sunday. As we said here last week, Roscommon have so many options in attack, and Ciaráin Murtagh and Ben O’Carroll will be knocking at the

door for starting places this weekend after doing so well last Sunday.

I thought that Shane Killoran was doing well before he was taken off against Down, and with Diarmuid Murtagh, Daire Cregg, Enda Smith, Donie Smith, Ultan Harney, Cian McKeon and Conor Cox all in contention, it’s a great situation for the selectors.

There may be some changes in the middle of the ﬁeld for Roscommon as that area continues to be a problem. Further back, Pearse Frost, Colm Neary, Niall Higgins, Brian Stack and Tim

Lambe all did well. It will also be interesting to see if the selectors persist with Shane Cunnane at centre half-back. Conor Carroll will continue to play a major role, as goalkeepers on all teams will be central to the game plan under the new rules.

This will be a close game and Louth will provide a huge test for Roscommon. However the ﬁrepower available to the visitors should be the difference. I am expecting Roscommon to win by three or four points.

Prediction: Roscommon.

‘We learnt lessons in losing to London’

SAMMON TARGETS WIN OVER ARMAGH

Allianz Hurling League Division Three London 1-15 Roscommon 1-10

 SEAMUS DUKE

Following a disappointing start to their campaign against London at McGovern Park in Ruislip last Sunday, Roscommon hurlers will be hoping for an all-important ﬁrst league win when they play Armagh at Dr Hyde Park this Sunday (1 pm). Roscommon played well in the opening half when they more than matched the exiles, but in a

disappointing second half Kevin Sammon’s men fell away and they lost by ﬁve points in the end.

Cathal Kenny, Conor Cosgrove and Conor Mulry were prominent as Roscommon matched London score for score early on. After 19 minutes it was 0-6 apiece.

London had aces in attack in Declan Devine and Sean Glynn, that duo scoring 1-9 between them. Devine’s goal late in the ﬁrst half helped his side into a 1-10 to 0-9 lead at half-time.

London dominated for most of the second half and four points without reply saw them assume control. Roscommon ﬁnished with a goal from Conor Mulry and a point from Ben McGahon in the ﬁnal few minutes but it wasn’t enough to affect the outcome.

Speaking to People Sport this week Roscom-

mon manager Kevin Sammon says that he was not overly worried with the defeat against London and is looking forward to the clash against Armagh on Sunday.

“Of course we were disappointed to lose last Sunday but we felt that we have learned a good bit from that game. London are a very hard team to beat, especially on their home pitch. They are playing at a higher level in the championship (Christy Ring Cup) than we are. We have a game under our belt now and that will stand to us on Sunday next in Hyde Park”.

Was the fact that Roscommon went over 30 minutes without a score against London a concern?

“The conditions were terrible to be honest and I wouldn’t be getting too carried away about that. Scores were hard to come by for both sides. We

will be trying a few different things next weekend and we are looking at new players all the time.

“We will have more or less the same panel of players for the game against Armagh and we will be hoping to get our ﬁrst two points on the board. Armagh will be tough opposition but at home we will be very hopeful of a win” he concluded. Roscommon (v London): Enda Lawless; Mark Ward, James Dillon, Darragh Finn; Brendan Mulry,

Conor Cosgrove (0-1), Matthew Comerford; Cian Murray, James Hardiman; Jack McGahon, Cathal Kenny (0-1), Ben McGahon (0-4, all frees); Eoin Fitzgerald (0-1), Conor Mulry (1-3), Trevor Fallon. Subs: Jack Dowling for Comerford (23), Mickey Joe Egan for Fitzgerald (h/t), Conall Kennelly for Fallon (45), Michael Hussey for B Mulry (61), Fionn Killion for J McGahon (64).

Stephen Tighe jumps for joy after Strokestown’s winning penalty in the shootout that decided last week’s Connacht Post-Primary Schools Senior ‘B’ FC semi- nal. Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown defeated Ballyhaunis Community School after the game ended level after extra-time. See report on page 37. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell.

Dublin Racing Festival is this weekend

Horses for Courses

Racing this week in Ireland starts tomorrow evening (Friday) on the all-weather at Dundalk, away at 4.13 pm. The Dublin Racing Festival features on Saturday (1.15 pm start) and Sunday (12.40 pm) at Leopardstown, with four Grade 1 races both days. On Bank Holiday Monday, racing is at Punchestown outside Naas with a 1 pm start.

In the Dublin Racing Festival, Willie Mullins should provide the favourite in seven of the Grade 1 races, ﬁve of them oddson, at Leopardstown starting on Saturday with the Novice Hurdle with fourteen entries. He has the ﬁrst four in the betting with Final Demand at 7/4.

In The Juvenile Hurdle with nine entries, the betting is headed by Gavin Cromwell’s Hello Neighbour at 7/4 from the Mullins trained Sainte Lucie at 5/2. In the Arkle Novice Chase (six entries)

Mullins’ Majborough is 4/7, and in the Irish Gold Cup the eleven entries are headed by Galopin Des Champs at 8/11 where he has six of the eleven. I don’t fancy a bet in any of the Grade races but Green Splendour might be worth a chance in the bumper.

In the four Grade 1 races on Sunday, Mullins supplies the favourite in the Novice Chase with Ballyburn heading the market at 4/7. Next up is the Novice Hurdle where his Kopek Des Bordes at 13/8 and Kaid d’Authie at 7/4 vie for favouritism. In the Dublin Chase, Gaelic Warrior heads the betting at 4/6 and in the ﬁnal Grade 1, the Champion Hurdle, Lossiemouth is 8/15 from State Man at 7/4 where he has four of the six runners. In a wide open bumper Carrigmoornaspruce is from a stable in form at 9/2 is an e/w bet.

Racing review Racing continued to be affected by weather with last Friday’s Dundalk allweather meeting falling to the storm everyone is talking about. The meeting was rescheduled for Monday. The track at Hereford was waterlogged and the Monday card was abandoned as were the Exeter and Leicester cards yesterday.

Cross-channel on Saturday there are eight races being covered by ITV –ﬁve from Sandown including the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novice Chase races, and three from Musselburgh. Racing from Leopardstown is being covered by RTE 1 on Saturday and by RTE 2 on Sunday.

The Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park this day week was won for the 10th time by Willie Mullins with Nick Rockett and Paul Townend at 9/2 joint favourite beating Velvet Elvis (22/1), and Favori

by Tom Red

De Champdou (16/1), by 2¼l 1nd 13l. The other joint favourite Yeah Man ﬁnished 4th. The third was suggested e/w here in last week’s column. The Galmoy Hurdle went to the Declan Queally trained Rocky’s Diamond ridden by Shane Fitzgerald at 5/1.

At Fairyhouse on Saturday, Willie Mullins had a double with Paul Townend winning the Grade 1 Solerina Hurdle on Aurora Vega (the daughter of Quevega) while Mark Walsh won the maiden hurdle on Kawaboomga.

On Sunday at Naas, the Mullins Townend combo completed a treble, winning both Grade 3, the Limestone Lad Hurdle with Anzadam and the Naas Novice Chase with Dancing City adding to Charlus who won the earlier maiden hurdle. On Monday at Punchestown, the pair combined for another treble with Karbau, Maughreen and Port

Joulain making it a total of eight winners over the weekend for the master of

Racing news

Patrick Mullins rode Chart Topper for his father Willie to victory at Wetherby this day week at 1/1 favourite in the EBF National Hunt Novice Hurdle, making it two wins from two, adding to his victory on Wednesday at Catterick on Jarrive De Mee. Could

an Irish based father and son win the trainers and amateur riders’ championships in Britain this year?

There are 90 entries in this year’s Grand National, with over half of them, 48, trained in Ireland. Gordon Elliott has sixteen entries including 2024 runner-up Delta Work and Gold Cup 2nd Gerri Colombe, Willie Mullins ten headed by I Am Maximus, last year’s winner, Gavin Cromwell

has eight, Henry de Bromhead has four including Minella Indo who was 3rd last year, Joseph O’Brien two, Mouse Morris, Tom Gibney, Martin Brassil, Tara Lee Cogan, Noel Meade, and Patrick Grifﬁn one each, and Patrick Neville has the 2024 Irish national winner Intense Rafﬂes. The race will be run at Aintree on Saturday, the 5th of April, when only 34 horses can face the starter.

Roscommon welcome key players back for Clare game

Seeking ﬁrst win after loss to Monaghan

Lidl Ladies Football League Division Two Monaghan 0-7

Roscommon 0-6

 SEAMUS DUKE

Manager Finbar Egan says three key players will be back and available to play this Sunday as Roscommon bid to bounce back from last weekend’s opening round defeat to Monaghan in the Lidl Ladies Football League.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Egan said that Niamh Watson, Laura Fleming and Aine O’Meara will all be back for this Sunday’s game against Clare, in Enﬁeld. A second-half revival by Roscommon last Sunday just fell short as Monaghan hung on to record a narrow victory in difﬁcult conditions in Johnstown.

Trailing by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break, Roscommon held their opponents scoreless in the second period, but a number of missed chances cost Finbar Egan’s side dearly in the end.

Roscommon’s only two ﬁrsthalf scores came from Róise Lennon and Caoimhe Cregg as

Monaghan made the most of their possession. While Roscommon had plenty of ball in the second half, unfortunately seven of their total of nine wides came in that period. Without Laura Fleming, Roscommon were not as sharp up front. While they cut the deﬁcit to the bare minimum with ﬁve min-

utes to go, they just couldn’t manage an equalising score.

This Sunday, Roscommon have another home game as they entertain Clare in Enﬁeld (2 pm). Roscommon manager Finbar Egan says he is welcoming a number of experienced players back to his squad this week.

“Niamh Watson, Laura Flem-

ing, and Aine O’Meara will all be back and they will add experience to the side for the match against Clare”. Reﬂecting on the one-point loss to Monaghan, the Roscommon manager says that nerves played a big part in the display.

“We had five or six players playing in their first game at that level and they were nervous to start with, but once they got into the game we improved a lot. I thought that our work rate was phenomenal and we will definitely improve”.

Egan says that Clare are a very good side. “I would rate Clare a better team than Monaghan so we will have our work cut out on Sunday, but I am conﬁdent that we will improve and with some of our experienced players back I am expecting a big performance”. Roscommon (v Monaghan): Helena Cummins; Rachel Brady, Saoirse Wynne, Orla O’Neill; Saoirse Timon, Ellen Irwin, Rita Lennon; Lisa O’Rourke, Abby Curran; Laura Mannion, Shannon McGuinness (0-1), Caoimhe Cregg (0-1); Aisling Hanly, Róise Lennon (0-1, free), Caoimhe Lennon (0-2). Subs: Ella Thompson (0-1) for Nolan (h/t), Megan Kelly for Brady (38), Aimee O’Connor for Curran (54).

Roscommon LGFA in new partnership for new jerseys!

Roscommon LGFA are delighted to reveal a new partnership

Paul Townend celebrates winning the 2024 Grand National on joint favourite I Am Maximus.

Closutton.

Caoimhe Lennon (Roscommon) and Aoife Burns (Monaghan) in action in last weekend’s game. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

THE GAIN LINE

High-scoring Creggs outshine Buccaneers

Creggs travelled to Athlone on Saturday night to face Buccaneers in the ﬁnal round of their league games, needing a win to consolidate second position in the table before heading to the round robin play-off stages. The win was easily achieved on a 66-5 scoreline.

This was originally set to be a home game but a venue change was required (to Buccaneers) as Storm Éowyn had knocked out electricity for ﬂoodlighting in Creggs.

Creggs opened emphatically with early tries from Ronan and Shane Dowd to lead by 14-0 after 12 minutes of play, with Shane Purcell landing two difﬁcult conversions from the left side of the pitch.

The impressive Purcell added a third Creggs try shortly afterwards, following a series of strong drives by the pack. Creggs secured the bonus point when the three Dowd brothers combined at blistering speed to send scrum-half Mark under the posts for an excellent try, with Shane Purcell’s conversion stretching the lead to 26-0, with just 25 minutes gone.

Winger Ronan Dowd added his second try of the evening after a defence-splitting run from Shane Purcell, who converted from close range. Brian Difﬂey ran 50 metres for a try just before half-time, adding to the substantial lead.

The second-half scoring commenced when the lively Darren Gately raced from halfway to score under the posts after a break by Shane Dowd carved the home defence apart in the 54th minute. Shortly afterwards Buccaneers scored a well-worked try out wide after some sustained attacking play to put ﬁve points on the scoreboard.

Substitute scrum-half Cormac Dolan added a ﬁne try after another searing break by Shane Dowd, Shane Purcell’s conversion putting Creggs ahead by 54-5. Darren Gately

grabbed his second try of the game when he touched down after a clever chip ahead by Shane Dowd.

Another try by Shane Purcell closed out the scoring to leave Creggs comfortably ahead of a Buccaneers team which showed occasional ﬂashes of enterprising rugby but which lacked cohesion over the 80 minutes.

Creggs now enter a critical phase of the season with league and cup games coming thick and fast over the next six weeks.

Creggs: Shane Dowd, Mikey Dunne, Mark Purcell, Eoghan Coyle, Ronan Dowd, Shane Purcell, Mark Dowd, Tom Farrell, Nato Kiripati, Eoghan Cahill, Ciaran Purcell, Xavier Woodhouse, Ronan Cahill, James Brandon (captain), Brian Difﬂey, Mattie Curley, Danny Arnold, Cormac Dolan, Darren Gately, Lee Kilcoyne. WOMEN INTO FINAL:

Buccaneers U-20s

go top of league

Buccaneers moved to the top of the JP Fanagan Leinster U-20 League Premier 2 following a hard-fought but richly merited 24-17 victory at wet and windy Dubarry Park on Sunday.

Buccaneers’ victory sees them sharing top spot with Blackrock College in this Super Six Group One group. Special mention to referee Michael Honan

Congratulations to Creggs RFC senior women’s team who have reached their ﬁrst Connacht Senior Women’s League ﬁnal

after a hard-fought 15-10 victory over Sligo RFC on Sunday. Creggs travelled to Sligo for a semi-ﬁnal that was played

in testing conditions, with strong wind and cold driving rain throughout the match. It was a credit to both teams that they served up a very competitive and lively encounter.

Creggs started the game the better and were rewarded when their captain, Susan O’Reilly, touched down to give them a 5-0 lead. Poor discipline after that score allowed Sligo territory and they capitalised with a very good score in the corner to level at 5-5.

Creggs went back on the attack after that score and after multiple carries it was Kelly Haugh who raced in for a crucial score to give Creggs a 10-5 half-time lead.

In the second half the Creggs team now had the better of the territory, using the elements well. Some excellent defence from the home side held Creggs out on a number of occasions before Jemima Adams Verling got in for a try with 17 minutes remaining.

Sligo to their credit got straight back on the attack from the kick-off and pressurised Creggs to make a mistake in the own 22 and from the resultant scrum the home

team got over in the corner to reduce the deﬁcit to just ﬁve points again.

It took some great defensive tackles in midﬁeld to halt the Sligo progress and keep them in their own half. Creggs held on for the victory and a place in the ﬁnal against current holders Tuam/Oughterard/ Colts in just under two weeks. Thanks to Sligo RFC for their hospitality and the very competitive game.

STORM: The storm has caused havoc in the Creggs area, causing huge damage to the hinterland – knocking out power lines and water supplies which at time of writing have still not been restored. Fortunately we have no damage reported within the club grounds.

A number of games were cancelled as a result of the storm with only the adult men’s ﬁrst team and women’s team playing last weekend (both away games).

LOTTO: The jackpot was not won and now rises to €4000. The lucky dip winner was Leo McGuinness. Please join our lotto online at www. creggsrugby.ie to help support all our teams’ expenses.

who travelled from Enniscrone to officiate at Buccs’ Seconds game on Saturday night and made the return journey on Sunday for the U-20s match. This was great commitment and fine officiating shown by Michael.

SECONDS: On a bitterly cold Saturday night, Creggs proved too hot for Buccaneers Seconds as they cruised to a 66-5 Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League victory under the Dubarry Park ﬂoodlights.

Due to there being no power at The Green, this ﬁxture was switched to the Athlone venue but home advan-

tage was of little beneﬁt to the Pirates as the border county club took early control of the proceedings.

GAME OFF: Buccaneers’ Energia AllIreland League Division 1A ﬁxture at home to Greystones fell victim to Storm Éowyn.

With no power at Dubarry Park or the alternative venue The Green in Creggs, the match was called off on Saturday morning and has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 22nd.

As this is the date that Ireland play in Wales at 2.15 pm, hopefully both clubs will agree on a suitable kick-off time so

that supporters can watch both matches.

U-20s: Buccaneers U-20s entertain University College Dublin in the JP Fanagan Leinster Premier League 2 at Dubarry Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates will be bidding to remain top of this ‘Super Six Group 1’ section and this looks like being a real cracker. The young Pirates would appreciate big support when the action kicks off at 3 pm.

ROBBIE & IRELAND: Best of luck is wished to Robbie Henshaw and Ireland as they commence the

defence of their Six Nations Championship title on Saturday evening. Where better to watch all Six Nations games than at The Bounty! BIG MATCH/LADIES DAY: Buccaneers’ next home AIL match takes place on Saturday, February 15th, when Old Crescent are visitors. It is also the club’s Ladies Day when their hugely popular and nearlegendary ‘Prosecco by the Pitch’ event is staged. Prize for best dressed lady, plus rafﬂe. Contact Geraldine at 086 1732711 to book. Limited availability.

The Creggs women’s team celebrate their Connacht League semi- nal win over Sligo.

Shane Purcell… landed a number of conversions (and a couple of tries too) in Creggs’ comfortable win over Buccaneers. File photo: Bernie O’Farrell

SportsPeople

O’Reilly proud of players after ‘almighty battle’

< SEAMUS DUKE

A relieved and proud Mercy College team manager David O’Reilly told the media after the final whistle that this game had been a huge battle.

“We knew that it was going to be an almighty battle today. We were really up against it all through”.

O’Reilly wasn’t happy with the refereeing, claiming his team “got absolutely nothing” before adding that “justice was done in the end and we came out on top”.

The manager agreed that the late surge from his side was decisive.

“The subs did well. Sarah Jane O’Connor got two vital points. When you can have impact off the bench it counts for a lot. I said to the players at half-time if we lose this today we will never get over it and we will regret it forever.

“We had dominated but we were missing chances. Thankfully the players left everything out there on the field today and it worked out in the end”.

O’Reilly said it’s been a long, hard journey for the team.

“We came up from the ‘B’ division two years ago and we were beaten in the ‘A’ final last year, which really hurt. We met as a group last May to plan ahead for this year.

“We knew we had the winning of an ‘A’ title so we are just delighted now. Now we will prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final”.

Late surge secures Connacht title for Mercy College

Lidl Connacht LGFA Senior Colleges ‘A’ final Mercy College Roscommon 2-13 St Attracta’s, Tubbercurry 1-15

< SEAMUS DUKE

A tremendous late rally in the final ten minutes saw a determined and courageous Mercy College Roscommon side over the line in this thrilling Connacht Colleges final played at the Connacht Centre of Excellence Air Dome last Thursday. The victory delivered a first title at this grade for the school (formerly the Convent of Mercy) since 2009.

On the overall balance of play the Roscommon side were superior, however they shot 14 wides (11 in the first half) and saw a number of crucial refereeing decisions go against them. That all added up to a tight finish in a contest that was hardfought and close all through.

Emma Feeney struck for a Roscommon goal in the 4th minute, and with Siofra Hession and Shauna Walsh sharp up front, they led by 1-4 to 0-3 after 18 minutes.

St Attracta’s were economical with their possession, and with Ellen Giblin outstanding from the placed ball, they were always in touch. Then in the 23rd minute the Sligo team were awarded a penalty and Amy McCarthy beat Kiera Kilkenny with the spot-kick.

The determined Roscommon girls responded immediately. Isobel Kenny pulled first-time to the Tubbercurry net after Emma Feeney’s shot had been saved. That key score helped Mercy College into a 2-7 to 1-7 halftime lead.

The third quarter belonged to St Attracta’s. Mercy were temporarily down to 14 players following a yellow card for Grace Geraghty on the call of half-time, and their opponents took full advantage. Ellen Giblin and Kate McCarthy were on target with a flurry of points and then in the 42nd minute the Sligo side had a glorious chance to go ahead.

Referee Gerard Canny awarded

what looked like a very soft penalty to the Sligo girls but Amy McCarthy’s effort was saved by Kiera Kilkenny. However the Sligo side were on top, and by the 46th minute they had taken the lead (1-13 to 2-9).

The Roscommon girls dug in and produced a superb final-quarter performance. Siofra Hession and sub Sarah Jane O’Connor were central to this as they kicked two points each to see Roscommon ahead by two going into injury-time.

There were eight minutes of time added on played during which the Tubbercurry girls probed for a winning goal. However all they had to show for their efforts was a late Ellen Giblin free. When the final whistle went the Roscommon school were a point ahead and the title was theirs.

Alanna McCormack, Lily Murray, Aisling Shanagher, Hazel Kelly, Emma Feeney, Shauna Walsh and

sub Sarah Jane O’Connor were excellent for Mercy College. A special mention is reserved for Siofra Hession, who was their star performer, especially when her side were under pressure in the second half.

Ellen Giblin was tremendous for St Attracta’s and didn’t really deserve to be on the losing side. Kate McCarthy, Caoimhe Crawley, Grainne Cooke and Amy McCarthy were also prominent for the Sligo side.

Note: Mercy College Roscommon now face the Munster champions in the All-Ireland semi-final in March.

Teams & scorers

Mercy College Roscommon: Kiera Kilkenny; Grace Geraghty, Alanna McCormack, Anna Hussey; Laura McSharry, Lily Murray, Emma Hough; Aisling Shanagher (0-1), Hazel Kelly; Emma Feeney (1-2), Kaitlin Egan (0-1), Alannah Sutton;

Shauna Walsh (0-3), Siofra Hession (0-4, 3 frees), Isobel Kenny (1-0). Subs: Sarah Reilly for McCormack (37), Sarah Jane O’Connor (0-2) for Hough (46), Ivannah Looby for Sutton (51), Clara Tully for Feeney (58). St Attracta’s: Catherine Gallagher; Tara Hosey, Mary Peig Horkan, Aoibheann Durcan; Katelyn Walsh (01), Anna Kate Davitt, Arlin Barrett; Caoimhe Crawley, Blathin Lavin; Kate McCarthy (0-3), Grainne Cooke, Amy McCarthy (1-0, pen); Ellen Giblin (0-10, 9 frees), Lucy Henry (0-1), Mia Durkin. Subs: Tara Queenan for Walsh (29), Tara McLoughlin for Hosey (51), Madeline Gorman for Durkin (58), Aoibhe Gormley for Cooke (61).

Referee: Gerard Canny (Mayo).

Player of the Match

Siofra Hession (Mercy College Roscommon)

Mercy College Roscommon players and management celebrate their 2-13 to 1-15 win over St Attracta’s, Tubbercurry in last Thursday’s Lidl Connacht LGFA Senior Colleges ‘A’ final. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Mercy College Roscommon captain Aisling Shanagher receives the cup from Roscommon LGFA President, Brendan Cregg.

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Mercy College Roscommon players celebrate their 2-13 to 1-15 win over St Attracta’s, Tubbercurry in last Thursday’s Lidl

Connacht LGFA Senior Colleges ‘A’ final. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Burke on new rules: ‘At times it’s bedlam!’

< SEAMUS DUKE

It was a breathless Roscommon manager Davy Burke who spoke to the media after his team’s win over Down on Sunday. He first pointed to the chaotic nature of the game.

“It’s mental at times. We spoke yesterday about the new format. We could be five points up or five points down. We played Dublin last week in a challenge and we were three or four points

up and a few minutes later we were eight points down. That’s the nature of this game. We were not worried at halftime today… we knew that the likes of Ciaráin Murtagh, Ben O’Carroll, Donie Smith and Senan Lambe would make the difference to push us over the line – and they did”.

The value of two-pointers, and threepointers too, was crucial according to the Roscommon manager. “The twopointers are crucial but our three goals

were vital too and I think we left a lot out there as well – but we scored 3-21, which is a fair tally”.

The manager said that new format of the game can be very confusing at times.

“At times it’s bedlam out there and there is no point saying anything else. Even the crowd were roaring about the ‘three players up’ at one stage but they (Down) had a man black-carded and you can have just two back in that case.

But look, it’s the first day out and we are all learning here”.

Burke says that a big lead can soon be whittled down under the new system.

“You are not emptying the bench if you are six points down now. Even five or six down you are still right in the match with the two-pointers and that can happen in every game”.

He paid tribute to his team’s attacking talent as well. “To rack up 3-21

on a bad day of weather… you have to be happy with that. We missed a penalty too and we were rusty out there at times. We missed a lot of training with bad weather, snow and what have you. We played just three challenge games… that’s all the preparation we had.

“We will kick on now ahead of next Sunday and it will probably be the same thing again but we are looking forward to it” he said.

Shootout drama as Scoil Mhuire,

Strokestown win epic semi-final

Connacht Post-Primary Schools Senior ‘B’ FC semi-final Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown 1-12

Ballyhaunis Community School 1-12 (after extra-time) Scoil Mhuire won 4-3 on penalties

< KEVIN EGAN AT ENFIELD

It’s a fact of life in schools football that on the pitch for any reasonably high-quality senior contest, there will be players who will go on to play for their county, potentially at a very high level; there will be players who love the sport and go on to have long club careers; and there will be those whose lives move away from football, and senior schools ball will be the pinnacle of their short careers.

Yet even those who play football on into their late 30s and beyond might go their entire lives without ever taking part in a fixture as dramatic or as meaningful as the Connacht ‘B’ semi-final, played in Enfield on Wednesday, 22nd of January last.

The quality was decent, though not off the charts, and whoever comes through the other semi-final tomorrow (Friday) between Roscommon CBS and Calasanctius College of Oranmore will start the final as favourites.

However, in terms of the human endeavour, the drama, the tension, and everything else that makes sport so good, this was almost unsurpassed.

It would be easy to fill two pages with the story of the tie, but in the absence of that luxury, we’ll have to drastically abbreviate the tale of how Scoil Mhuire Strokestown, who reached this semi-final after coming from 11 points down against St Muredach’s last time out, showed incredible survival instinct.

Shortening the first half is easy. No team scored in the opening quarter, Ballyhaunis CS didn’t score until the 28th minute, and two exceptional Cathal Enright points separated the teams at half-time, 0-4 to 0-2.

Tadhg Rogers extended that lead after halftime. Ballyhaunis fired four in a row that included opportunist points for Shane Gallagher and David Delaney, and a majestic Connor Grogan kick from the right wing. Then the game ebbed and flowed up until the 58th minute, when Derry Óg Cox pushed Ballyhaunis 0-9 to 0-7 in front.

Tristan Hoey nailed a 50 metre free, Ballyhaunis earned a close-range free to settle the contest and went for goal, and their miss allowed Stephen Tighe to score the equaliser with the last kick.

Shane Gallagher’s goal in the first half of

extra-time appeared to put daylight between the sides, but despite trailing by four with a few minutes remaining, Scoil Mhuire again rode their luck and forced penalties thanks to a magnificent block from Darragh Devaney and a deflected goal from a Jamie Connellan shot.

Eamon Monaghan saved the first of the Scoil Mhuire penalties, but the Strokestown students were as resilient as Japanese knotweed, and would once again find their way. Three Ballyhaunis penalties hit the net but so too did Stephen Tighe, Enright, Tadhg Morris and Dominik Grzegorski. Meanwhile Cillian Hussey saved Mark Feeney’s kick and in a cruel but fittingly knife-edge finale, Derry Óg Cox’s spot-kick hit the post, and a story that these players will tell for decades was committed to history. Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown: Cillian Hussey (Tulsk); Martin O’Dowd (Shannon Gaels), Dylan Tynan (Strokestown), Tadhg Carroll (Kilmore); Adrian Jackson (St Barry’s), Cian Quinn (St Barry’s), Conor Tighe (Strokestown); Tadhg Rogers (St Barry’s; 0-1), Darragh Devaney (Strokestown; 0-1); Patrick Martin (Kilmore), Cathal Enright (Elphin; 0-2), Tristan Hoey (Kilglass Gaels; 0-2, 0-1 45, 0-1f); Dominik Grzegorski (Kilglass Gaels), Stephen Tighe (Strokestown; 0-4, 0-3f), Cillian Harrington (Western Gaels; 0-1). Subs used: Tadhg Morris (Elphin) for Quinn (48), Jamie Connellan (Kilmore; 1-1, 0-1f) for Jackson (48), Quinn for Hoey (62), Éanna Moylan (Tulsk) for Tighe (73), Patrick Grehan (St Barry’s) for Martin (73), Nathan Frayne (St Barry’s) for O’Dowd (73).

Ballyhaunis CS: Eamon Monaghan; Oisín Casey, Jarlath Concannon (0-2), Tom Donnellan; Charlie Johnston, Shane Clarke, Jake Powers; Adam Kelly, Mark Feeney (0-1); Connor Grogan (0-1), Derry Óg Cox (0-4, 0-2f), David Delaney (0-2); Brian Greally, Fionn Delaney, PJ Greally. Subs used: Shane Gallagher (Éire Óg; 1-1) for B Greally (30), Rowan Johnston for Powers (49), John Jennings (0-1) for PJ Greally (56), Fionn Conlon for Delaney (67), Bradley Lynch Burke (Michael Glaveys) for Grogan (73).

Referee: Brendan Beirne (Ballinameen).

Stat Attack

Red cards: 0

Black cards: 0

Yellow cards: Scoil Mhuire 1 (Carroll); Ballyhaunis CS 1 (Kelly)

Wides: Scoil Mhuire 9; Ballyhaunis CS 8 Man of the Match: Jarlath Concannon (Ballyhaunis CS)

Action from last week’s Connacht Post-Primary Schools Senior ‘B’ FC semi-final in which Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown defeated Ballyhaunis Community School on penalties. Cathal Enright (Strokestown) and Oisín Casey (Ballyhaunis).

Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

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Roscommon usher in new era with thrilling win over Down

Allianz Football League Division Two Roscommon 3-21 (3-3-15) Down 1-20 (1-6-8)

< SEAMUS DUKE

A new era for Gaelic football was unveiled last weekend. At King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park last Sunday, Roscommon began their league campaign with a win over Down after a sometimes chaotic encounter. While there were many reservations about the new rules, there were lots of positives too. The fair-sized crowd present (and the TV audience) were treated to plenty of scores, which is never a bad thing.

The bottom line is that Roscommon have made a successful start to their league campaign with a seven-point victory that arguably looked unlikely until the final quarter. However, attacking class won out in the end, and Roscommon have plenty of that.

This victory was capped by a spectacular goal from Ciaráin Murtagh in the 58th minute when the Down goalkeeper John O’Hare was caught in possession up the field. Debutant Colm Neary made a vital block and when Cian McKeon found the St Faithleach’s star Murtagh hit the empty net with a quite brilliant strike from almost 45 metres out. It was one of the best goals seen in Hyde Park

for many a long day and a score that set Roscommon on their way. They never looked back after that.

Down had the benefit of the strong breeze in the opening half. Their ability to kick two-point scores was key as they led by five points at half-time.

It was a game full of incident. Roscommon had the ball in the Down net after only two minutes after a lung-bursting run from Enda Smith ended with the Boyle star shooting low past John O’Hare.

Down were on top at midfield and they took full advantage of the new two-point scoring zone, recording no less than six in the opening half with full-forward Pat Havern leading the way with four. Their goal came in the 15th minute when Ryan McEvoy fisted a long delivery past Conor Carroll. Roscommon were hanging in though, and when Cian McKeon bundled home a 26th minute goal it reduced the margin to just a point. Indeed the Rossies could have scored a third goal when Diarmuid Murtagh was fouled in the large square in the 28th minute, but Enda Smith’s spot-kick was easily saved by Down goalkeeper O’Hare. As it was, the visitors took a 1-14 to 2-6 lead into the break.

With the aid of the wind in the second half and with Ciaráin Murtagh and Ben O’Carroll in off the bench, Davy Burke’s team were a different prospect altogether. Down did kick

the first two points of the half, but once Shane Cunnane scored Roscommon’s first two-pointer of the match in the 41st minute, the home side clicked into top gear.

Ben O’Carroll, Diarmuid Murtagh and Daire Cregg were all excellent as the Roscommon scores began to mount, but it was Ciaráin Murtagh who was a class apart as the home side reeled in the Down men. In the 58th minute came the coup de grace from the brilliant Murtagh that set the Rossies on their way.

After that goal, Roscommon stretched their lead with points from Diarmuid Murtagh (a two-pointer, and two points from play), sub Donie Smith and Daire Cregg. Cregg was back on the field having been shown a black card in the 54th minute for an illegal block.

The opinion of many that the new rules would suit attacking teams and attacking players was certainly borne out in this clash and the big scores put up by both teams bodes well for the future of the game in terms of entertainment for the fans.

Spectators, coaches, players and the media will want to see more of this new game before passing judgement but overall I would say that the changes are positive.

It was an excellent win and a good start to the league for Roscommon. Conor Carroll was excellent in goal and under the new rules the goalkeeper

will assume even greater importance.

Colm Neary had a superb debut while Brian Stack and Tim Lambe were also prominent in defence. But it was up front where Roscommon really shone. Enda Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh and Daire Cregg started – and were doing well in attack – but the introduction of Ciaráin Murtagh, Ben O’Carroll and Donie Smith was key to this opening victory.

Now Roscommon move on quickly to Drogheda this Sunday and a clash with the Wee County. On the evidence of what we saw last Sunday, Roscommon can travel with confidence.

Note: During the game and since it too I have been contacted by several people who were not able to distinguish the numbers on the jerseys of the Roscommon players. It was the first occasion on which the team wore the new-style jersey in public, but media (myself included) and fans alike struggled to identify players. It’s not a major issue and one that can be easily remedied. I promised many people that I would raise it this week.

Teams & scorers

*Scoring recorded as follows: tp = twopointer from play; tpf = two-pointer from frees.

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Colm Neary, Pearse Frost, Niall Higgins; Brian Stack, Shane Cunnane (0-2, 1 tp), Tim Lambe; Eddie Nolan (0-1), Keith

Doyle; Shane Killoran (0-1), Ultan Harney, Enda Smith (1-1); Diarmuid Murtagh (0-7, 1 tp, 3 frees), Cian McKeon (1-1), Daire Cregg (0-4, 2 frees). Subs: Ciaráin Murtagh (1-2, 1 tp) for Killoran (h/t), Senan Lambe for Tim Lambe (37), Ben O’Carroll (0-1) for Harney (37), Dylan Ruane for Doyle (46), Donie Smith (0-1) for Ruane (60). Down: John O’Hare; Peter Fegan; Ryan McEvoy (1-2, 1 tp), Hugh Pat McGeary; Paddy McCarthy (0-1), Pierce Laverty; Eoin McCrickard; Daniel Guinness, Odhran Murdock (0-1); Ceilum Doherty, James Guinness (0-2, 1 tp), Danny Magill (0-2); Gareth McKibben (0-1), Pat Havern (0-11, 3 tpf, 1 tp, 2 frees), Ryan Magill. Subs: Micheal Rooney for McGeary (27), Conor McCrickard for Eoin McCrickard (62), Oisín Savage for O’Hara (66). Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).

Stat Attack

Wides: Roscommon 5 (2, first half); Down 2 (1, first half)

Red cards: 0

Black cards: Roscommon 1 (Daire Cregg, 54); Down 1 (Peter Fegan, 31) Yellow cards: Roscommon 1 (Tim Lambe); Down 0

Two-point scores: Down 6 (2 frees); Roscommon 3

Attendance: Approx. 2,500

Man of the Match: Enda Smith (Roscommon)

Action from last Sunday’s Allianz Football League game between Roscommon and Down at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park. A spectacular photo of Roscommon’s Daire Cregg. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

New rules: A view from the press box

< SEAMUS DUKE

The positives

Kickouts: Most of the kickouts are now long – and are contested in the middle of the field. This is a welcome change. The importance of having good fielders of the ball out around the middle third has returned.

Solo and go: This is probably the most refreshing of all the changes. It speeds up the game, with players willing to get on with the play themselves when they are fouled.

Two-point scores: The new scoring system is certainly a bonus for accurate long-kickers. It means that with long-range points, a team can put up a big score – or reduce a deficit quickly.

Jury still out

The dissent rule, whereby a ball is brought forward 50 metres, didn’t seem to be implemented much over the first weekend of the new rules. Players having to hand the ball to an opponent after a foul was certainly in evidence though.

The ‘3 v 3’ rule was generally observed, however

there was confusion as teams are allowed to have only two defenders back if a player on their team is sent off on a black or red card. The role of goalkeepers is certainly enhanced, but there was a warning to netminders that if it goes wrong, a high price may be paid – as was the experience of the Down goalkeeper in Dr Hyde Park last Sunday.

Summary

Overall, I would be positive about the changes. The new rules will certainly lead to a lot more scores

and far more kicking in general. I would be worried about there perhaps being a lack of intensity in games, with almost no tackling having taken place in the matches that I have seen. But let’s see how the game evolves in the coming weeks before making a conclusive judgement.

In common with many observers I would seriously worry how all these changes will be implemented at club level – and especially in underage grades – when there are fewer officials present. There is certainly far more for referees to watch out for under the new format, so that point (on the club aspect) is a major worry going forward.

dium, or the windswept classic that was Antrim 1-9 Clare 1-6.

It felt like love at first sight between the football-loving public in Roscommon and the Football Review Committee’s brand new ‘enhancements’ on Sunday afternoon in Dr Hyde Park, as Davy Burke’s side racked up a monster 3-21 and captivated the nation with their incredible performance in front of the TG4 cameras. Maybe this is how it’s going to be forever, or maybe this was just a great first impression, and the long-term outlook for the sport will be unchanged, with plenty more turgid encounters along the lines of Galway’s win over Armagh at Pearse Sta-

Maybe the new rules are nothing more than a new set of paint brushes. Put them in the hands of a Van Gogh and you get Starry Night, or Sunflowers. Put them in the hands of a jaded, chain-smoking housepainter and you get floor-to-ceiling magnolia.

It was widely predicted that the two-point arc would play right into Roscommon’s hands, since there are very few counties with as many players who are comfortable shooting at a set of posts from 50 yards out, and indeed players who would prefer not to have to cross the halfway line at any

point. Likewise, Conor Carroll was always going to be comfortable getting involved in the play at the other end of the field. Perhaps surprisingly however, it was Down – and Pat Havern in particular –who filled their boots with two-pointers, scoring six to Roscommon’s three. On the flip side, other counties at the top end of the pecking order have tended to do better at straight fielding battles in the past, so the elimination of the short restart was a concern. Here too though, Roscommon more than held their own, with Eddie Nolan in particular taking control of the war in the trenches.

There was confusion, as expected. Niall

Cullen incorrectly pulled back Enda Smith after he chose to tap and go from a mark, while some Roscommon sideline personnel screamed – wrongly – for a ‘three men up’ infringement against Down late in the first half, not realising that Peter Fegan’s black card meant that the Mourne men had a reduced quota in that regard. Cullen also gave a free against Down ‘keeper John O’Hare for taking a pass in his own half, then changed that to a throw ball. What can’t be denied is that there were no long periods of careful, possession football, and at no point could supporters, and certainly not reporters, afford to look away.

Even if people were often very confused about what they were looking at, it was never boring.

Maybe it was the new rules, and maybe it was the fact that this was a meeting between Roscommon, who had a host of attacking stars returning to the fray, taking on a Down side that were the topscoring team in Ireland in the 2024 Allianz League, so it would have been a shootout either way.

All that we can say for certain is that right here in Roscommon at the very least, there’s a lot of excitement about the upcoming second date this weekend in Drogheda.

< KEVIN EGAN

Action from last Sunday’s Allianz Football League game between Roscommon and Down at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park. Cian McKeon (Roscommon) breaks past Pat Havern and Ceilum Doherty of Down. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell