Front L-R: Mickey Menton, Gabriel Keating, Gerry Coffey, Seamus Comiskey, Brendan Penney, Anthony Doolan, Seamus (Jumbo) Casey Back L-R: Tom Hunt, Dominick Twomey, Mick Fahy, John McDermott, Hugh Griffin, Gerry Flanagan, Mick McNamara, Frank Daly, John O’Gara, Tom Donnellan On Friday 27th Jan the Roscommon Gaels Senior County Football Champions from 1972 reunited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their success. There was a great turnout and all who attended had a most enjoyable evening which started in Regan’sBar and Restuarant with a fantastic meal and onwards to the great GAA haunt that is the “Down The Hatch” pub. The event, organised and driven by players John O’Gara and Michael McNamara, was well attended with many coming long distance to reflect and celebrate with old friends and great Gaels. Mick McNamara was the conductor of speeches during the meal with many players present giving a reflection of their memory of the campaign which started with a victory over Clann na nGael and Rooskey in the early rounds, and culminating with a superb victory over the kingpins of Roscommon at the time, Castlerea St Kevin’s. Indeed, the Castlerea team was full of Roscommon inter county stars who had just won the Connacht title in 1972 and lost to Kerry in the All Ireland Semi Final. This was a key success for the club at the time and indeed kick started our golden period of success which we had in the seventies. Many of this team represented Roscommon during the successful 1977-1980 years. Re-living the 1972 campaign all players reflected on key events that made the success possible but one common factor was that each one gave themselves the “Man of the Match award! One sombre moment was remembering those members of the team, management and club delegates that have gone to their eternal reward. The influence of the school football (Brother Dwyer), Street Leagues (Roscommon Gaels coaches) and Mick Hoare (Manager) was spoken about in detail. The night was a huge success and more great memories were made among great friends and club stalwarts. 50 years ago this team kick started Roscommon Gaels back to life and no doubt if the club’s current crop of players are as united as this group proved on Friday night to be, maybe another Golden era awaits. Congrats to the Team of ‘72 and thank you so much for the memories.
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On Sunday morning January 29th, the Under 16 Ladies in Roscommon Gaels had an early call. But this early call was well worth getting up for, as they were heading into the Lounge at the Hyde to meet Cork super woman, Rena Buckley. Rena kindly agreed to come and meet the girls for a breakfast meeting, have a chat and most of all to celebrate their recent success at Division 1 Football along with Camogie A Winners in the county. As one of the most decorated ladies in Irish Sport, Rena has18 All-Ireland Medals to her name between Camogie and Football for Cork Senior Ladies. She has also represented Ireland at Internation Rules. She was the first player to captain Cork to both All-Ireland senior championships, and was also named as an All Star on eleven occasions. In 2015 Buckley and her team mate and fellow dual player, Briege Corkery, were named joint winners of the 2015 The Irish Times/ Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Award. Rena spoke with all of girls, passing on some of her experiences and sharing inspirational stories from her sporting career. She presented each girl with newly purchased sportswear also. A big thankyou to all the parents who accompanied the girls to the Lounge and to all who helped organise the event. Thankyou also to the trainers and coaches of both teams who without their dedication and committment, success would not have been possible for the both teams. Looking forward to the new season ahead. Congratulations to our Fleming's SuperValu Roscommon sponsored U 13 Hurlers who had a super win on Saturday November 25th versus Athleauge/Tremane in the County League Final played in Dr. Hyde Park.
Eventually winning 6-8 to 1-8 the Gaels boys were on top from the very start and played excellent hurling that was full of determination and skill throughout. We are very lucky to have this group who really are a credit to their families and Club. To the delight of all the Gales supporters present our captain Daniel Nerney raised the Joan Staunton Memorial Cup aloft. The Team are delighted to be the first team to receive this beautiful Cup , presented in Joan's memory by her 3 sons. It was touching to see the Staunton and Bracken families present at the game. While hurling is played in Roscommon, Joan’s memory will live on. May she continue to Rest in Peace. Pictured Below: 1. Player of the Match Cathal Mulry. 2. Captain Daniel Nerney being presented with the Joan Staunton Memorial Cup by the Staunton family. 3. The Fan Club On Saturday evening, November 5th the recipients of the 2019 & 2020 GAA McNamee Awards were honoured at a function held in the Cusack Suite, Croke Park. The McNamee Awards are the GAA's inhouse media awards, usually held annually, however, due to Covid was not possible to hold. Recipients were informed but no fuction was held. Uachtarán CLG 2018-2021 John Horan offered his congratulations to the winners at the event stating “From its earliest days the GAA understood the importance of communication with its membership and the power of being able to tell and share its story far and wide. “The GAA’s MacNamee Awards allow us to recognise those individuals who have performed exemplary work in this field and whose contribution to GAA communications is of the highest standard. “Congratulations to all of the winners." Collecting the award on behalf of Roscommon Gaels was Oliver Moran, Development Officer of the Club 2019, who was the instigator nominating the Club for a "Best New Media" award. The topic of entry on the submission was based on a winning video created by the club for a national competition sponsored by Spórt TG4 and Subaru Ireland promoting a unique aspect within the Club that everyone is very proud of - the All Stars. In 2020 the Club was delighted to have been announced as a winner of the 2019 "Best New Media Award". Thanks to Oliver and Michelle Moran, Declan Walsh, Tommy & Liz Mulry & Orla Fleming P.R.O. Roscommon Gaels for the work involved in creating the video and promoting it. In attendance also on the evening representing the Club were Chairperson Philip Mullen and Bernadette Mullen, Oliver and Michelle Moran, Liz and Tommy Mulry and Shane and Orla Fleming. "..............2019 Best New Media – Roscommon Gaels All-stars Any club that provides the kinds of services that Roscommon Gaels does through its All-Stars initiative deserves special recognition. However the Gaels’ clever use of social media and digital campaigns to raise awareness of their work and to ultimately fund it, through winning the TG4 / Subaru competition, deserves to be recognised through the McNamee Best New Media Award. Their campaign involved two separate digital initiatives - creating an excellent video describing the Roscommon Gaels All-Stars and then utilising social media to generate awareness and win votes for their competition entry." (www.gaa.ie) A First for Roscommon Gaels Ladies U16 Div 1 Football Championship and League County Final 2022 Roscommon Gaels 2-07 St Barry's 0-12 All roads led to Dr Hyde Park on Saturday for the County Photos U16 Div 1 County League & Championship Football Final against strong favourites St Barry's. It was decided by Roscommon County Board that both league and championship would be played for in one game. On a beautiful November Morning, the tension in the air was palpable. From the throw in the Creta Construction sponsored Gaels ladies were on the front foot but with some early nerves on display hitting 3 consecutive wides. It was St. Barrys who opened the scoring with a pointed free but Roscommon Gaels quickly cancelled this out with a great team-move that finished with the ever-dependable Molly Rose Finneran crashing the ball to the net. Roscommon Gaels were beginning to settle with a point from Shauna Walsh and another fine move that led to our second goal from Grace Geraghty. The Gaels ladies were relentless, with their backs and midfielders well on top, they had Barry's on the back foot. There was great football on display from both teams and further scores from Molly Rose Finneran, Siofra Hession and Shauna Walsh they went in at the break, Roscommon Gaels 2-04 St Barry's 0-6. St. Barry's started the second half on the front foot scoring a well taken point from Cara Cox. Roscommon Gaels again linked up well before Shauna Walsh landed a brilliant point from distance. With St. Barry's players, Erin Hagan and Holly Rogers now coming to terms with our midfield, Barry's began a sustained period of pressure. This led to a further two points and the margin was down to one point. The Gaels defence were magnificent all day and worked incredibly hard to keep the Barry's attack at bay. The Gaels full back line of Eve McNeill, Sarah Purcell and Kate Harlow were on top form during this period, however, a questionable penalty award handed our opponents the chance to go in front. St. Barry's hadn't bargained on our keeper Jane King pulling off a great save to keep us in the game. This save will live long in the memory and it acted as a great boost to the entire Gaels team. The Gaels launched goal machine Grace Campbell and with her first touch Grace was narrowly wide with a bullet from just inside the big square. With the game entering the last five minutes Barry's struck for a good point to level the game. It was now down to who wanted it more. A lung bursting run from Alannah Sutton followed by a majestic finish pushed the town team in front again. With the clock hitting full time Roscommon Gaels were awarded a free 30 meters out. Siofra Hession went short to Alannah Sutton who returned the ball to Siofra and she struck a great point under pressure to put them two up. Frantically awaiting full time whistle, St. Barry's were awarded a free which was converted to leave the bare minimum in it. The hard -working Martha McSharry continually turned over the Barry's half back line to keep Roscommon Gaels on the attack and their determination to hold out was epitomized by half forward Anna Kiernan winning a ball in front of their own goal and driving out the wing to win a free out. This was the last play of the game and the much welcomed final whistle sounded for the Gaels Ladies. The ability to win the dirty ball and fielding was superb, this was epitomized by the blocks and hand-on defending from Ciara Killeen, Emma O Farrell and Amy Winston throughout the game. Emma Hough and Siofra Hession worked tirelessly in midfield all day while up front Shauna Walsh led the attack with 0-3 from play. Goals win games and Molly Rose Finneran and Grace Geraghty will long be remembered for theirs today. There were emotional scenes as this is the first ever Div 1 U16 LGFA title won by a Roscommon Gaels team - a brilliant team performance by the girls and Management. Captain Emma O'Farrell raised the Cup and shield and gave a superb speech which showed just how much it meant to the group of girls. Well done to the Management team of Declan Walsh, Teresa and Andy Hession and Ray McSharry who guided this group of players. A special thanks to Dr Liz Sweeney McSharry for her assistance. Thanks to all the parents for your support in all-weather all year. Thank you to Liam McNeill for providing the meal after the match. Thank you to our jersey sponsor Creta Construction. Thank you to everyone who has supported the team in the build up to the Final too! Thank you to the huge crowd of Supporters that have come to all our matches throughout the Year specially the golden ladies - You know who you are! Team & Scores: Jane King, Eve McNeill, Sarah Purcell, Kate Harlow, Ciara Killeen, Emma O Farrell, Amy Winston, Siofra Hession (0-2), Emma Hough, Anna Kiernan, Shauna Walsh (0-3), Alannah Sutton (0-1), Grace Geraghty (1-0), Molly Rose Finneran (1-1), Martha McSharry. Subs: Grace Campbell, Like McCaffery, Daniella Kerr, Sarah Reilly, Molly Tully, Jessica McSharry. |
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