The fruits of the ongoing development of hurling in the club were harvested again last week when Benbulben Gaels lifted the U16 Shield title thanks to a 6-14 to 1-4 win over Tourlestrane in the final at Markievicz Park. The victory means the club has won county underage titles at three different age groups in 2017 (U12, U14 & U16), a great achievement considering the short number of years that the Benbulben Gaels hurling club has been in existence. We are also one of just four clubs in Sligo to field teams at every grade underage.
The Benbulben Gaels U16 Shield winning panel.
Last Monday’s U16 panel was: Patrick O’Connor (Capt), Oisín McGloin, Killian O’Connor, Evan Ballintine, Senan O’Rourke, Nathan McArdle, Dara Foy, Tola Carway, Eoghan Donaghy, Ryan Gallagher, Ciarán O’Reilly, Augustine Waters, Blaine Waters, Seán Leonard, Eoin Kerrigan, Daniel O’Connor, Colm Ryan, James Herity. Management team: John O’Callaghan, Aidan O’Reilly, Carol McGowan, Anthony Nolan.
The DRP junior men’s football team.
Our junior men’s footballers are through to the County ‘B’ Championship final after a convincing 2-18 to 1-5 win over Calry/St Joseph’s in Scarden last Saturday evening. The team produced arguably their best display of the season to date with John Hester contributing 1-6 and Eoin Gaughan supplying 0-7. St Molaise Gaels will be our county final opponents. Saturday’s team was: Justin Lyons, Shane Creamer, Eunan Cannon, Luke McDermott, Rory McLoughlin, David Collins (Capt) 0-1, Hugh Kisby, Paddy Gormley, Colin Ginty, Declan Gallagher, Eoin Gaughan 0-7, Joseph Keyes 1-0, John O’Hara, John Hester 1-6, Tom Armstrong 0-1. Subs: Kevin Dufficy 0-2 for John O’Hara, Fergal McGrath for Rory McLoughlin, Hughie Cannon 0-1 for Tom Armstrong, David Brady for Declan Gallagher, Jack McDermott for Hugh Kisby, Ronan Devaney. Management team: James McTiernan & Paddy Gormley.
Our ladies minor footballers drew their ‘A’ championship semi-final away to Tourlestrane last Friday evening on a final scoreline of Tourlestrane 3-6 DRP 2-9. The team trailed by seven points at the interval, then led by four going in to the closing stages before a late goal helped Tourlestrane force a replay. The date and venue of the replay had still to be confirmed at the time of writing.
Our boys U16 footballers bowed out of the championship at the semi-final stage on Sunday, when they were beaten by an impressive Coolaney/Mullinabreena team at the new Nace O’Dowd Park on a final scoreline of 6-17 to 3-12. While there was obvious disappointment amongst the players at the final whistle, the team can be justly proud of their efforts in both league and championship in 2017. On behalf of the team management (Des Henry, Jimmy Smith and Niall Collery), we would like to thank the lads for their commitment, effort, fantastic endeavour, team spirit and impeccable behaviour. This is a very young panel (including 8 U14 players) with an excellent work ethic. The boys are a credit to their parents, families and the Club. We look forward with confidence to next year.
Hard luck to the boys U13 footballers who lost their Féile league quarter-final to St Mary’s on Sunday at Kent Park. St Mary’s were the better side on the day, and this game brings the curtain down on the current football season for this developing group of players.
Paul and Emma McGarvey were part of the Singapore Lions gaelic football team which won the South Asia U10 tournament in Kuala Lumpar recently.
Big congratulations to former club members Paul and Emma McGarvey, now living in Singapore, who were part of the Singapore Lions U10 gaelic football team which won the South Asia U10 tournament in Kuala Lumpar recently. Good to see that some of the Oxfield nursery coaching is reaping dividends on the other side of the world! A picture of the victorious team is avaiable to view on the club’s Facebook page.
Our Saturday morning GAA nursery will continue for another three weeks, culminating in our end-of-season party on Saturday, October 21st in Oxfield. The coaches of the various age groups will send more info on this over the coming weeks.
The U9 urban league will finish this Wednesday evening (Oct 4th) when we play St Mary’s in Scarden at 6:30pm. Players are asked to assemble at the Sligo GAA Centre of Excellence by 6:15pm. The U11s will be in action at the same venue next Monday 9th.
Handball returns at the Oxfield Centre this Saturday morning (Oct 7th) when Drumcliffe Handball Club holds an Open Morning & and Registration session from 9:30am to 11:30am for prospective new members of all ages. Kids and adults will have an opportunity to gain an introduction to the game, and to watch some exhibition matches. All are welcome to drop in.
The O’Brien brothers Donnchadh & Colm played a blinder last Saturday, helping out with our Clothes Recycling Collection Day in Rosses Point.
The organisers of last Saturday’s Clothes Recycling Collection Day in Rosses Point and Oxfield would like to thank sincerely everyone who donated items a our two collection locations.
Sligo LGFA is holding its end-of-season dinner dance this Friday night, Oct 6th, in the Clayton Hotel. Tickets are available from any ladies county board member.
Congrats to all the athletes from Rathcormac National School who ran their hearts out at the Sligo Primary Schools Cross Country Championships in IT Sligo at the weekend. The day saw Gemma O’Callaghan win the senior girls race, while there were silver and bronze medals for Rían O’Calalghan and Joe Campbell in the senior boys race. The school also won the top team prizes in the Senior Boys, Senior Girls and Junior Girls categories.
Best wishes to North Sligo Athletic Club which celebrates its 40th birthday this Friday night with a special Gala night in the Radisson Hotel.
