Into West Dec 2013
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Vol 4. Issue 10 December 2013 'A season of joy' Carnacon and Claregalway crowned All-Ireland club champions Connacht GAA Council wish all Gaels a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year OFFICIAL GAA PUBLICATION €2.50 President’s Note Secretary’s Note A CHAIRDE GAEL, with, their sights are RINGING 2013 to a close, it firmly set on making has to be said what an en- T is a great pleasure that elusive step fur- Bjoyable and successful and with a sense of ther. year of football and hurling it satisfaction that I All-Ireland Final has been for the province. Ilook back on 2013 re- Day was very special At one stage there was a chance that Connacht teams flecting on the terrific for Mayo with two would hold all of the major hon- displays on the pitch teams in the finals. ours in football: St Brigid's were from numerous teams Mayo minors bridged the senior club champions; Gal- representing their the gap with 1985 way were the All-Ireland U-21 clubs, counties and when they defeated champions and Mayo minors province. Tyrone after a most impressive dis- won the All-Ireland. For a couple of hours the chance was What an occasion St.Patrick's play. Great credit is due to Enda there, but unfortunately the Mayo seniors fell narrowly Day was with St. Thomas' and St Gilvarry and his management team shot for the second year in a row. They'll be back though. Brigid's both winning their first All- on this great achievement. It looks As usual in the GAA, there is very little time to relax Ireland club titles on the same day. good for Connacht football that and come the first week in January, all focus will turn to That, added to Ballinasloe's win in Mayo got very keenly contested the Connacht GAA FBD League again as the new season the junior All-Ireland club final games from Galway and Roscom- starts. We'll all be looking for indications to assess the coun- shows the true strength of GAA mon. ties in the New Year and with teams back to collective sports in the province. I congratulate Carnacon and training earlier than ever and challenge games popping We had a very competitive U-21 Claregalway Ladies Football clubs up already, it will be very interesting to see the standard Connacht championship with Gal- on winning All-Ireland Ladies titles of play in the early weeks. way emerging winners and they in recent weeks. And also to the For many of the clubs it will soon be time to start went on to capture their second All- Galway Ladies football minors, who planning for their upcoming league and championship Ireland title within three years. had a sensational 2013 with their campaigns, but a few teams will still be focusing on last Surely on this basis there is a All-Ireland title. Their wins are a year's competitions, as Castlebar Mitchels, Portumna, tremendous pool of talent that huge boost to the game in the west. Kiltane, Kilnadeema/Leitrim, Calry/St Joseph's and should emerge in the coming years. We recently concluded very en- Fuerty go on to the All-Ireland Series to represent Con- One of the most memorable oc- tertaining and highly competitive nacht in the club semi-finals, and hopefully, finals. You casions in Croke Park was the All- club championships, with defending all have the full support of the province and it would be Ireland Camogie Final day when All-Ireland champions St. Brigid's great to see a similar return to last year. At this stage, we have been a year in the new Con- Galway, under the same manage- eventually being dethroned after nacht GAA Centre and what a pleasure it has been to wit- ment team, captured both the sen- extra-time by Castlebar Mitchels. ness its growth. It is terrific to see teams of all ages ior and intermediate All-Ireland The Mayo champions have had a playing on the pitch and I think the facility has proven a titles. This was a huge achievement long wait for the successes enjoyed great relief to club grounds, especially in the long winter and great credit is due to all the this season and I know they will months. Hopefully in the year ahead the Centre can be people who have worked so hard to cherish the opportunity to represent put to an even greater use by everyone. bring the game in the county to this Connacht. Finally, I want to wish all of our GAA people a very level. How glad I am to see I have been very impressed all Happy Christmas, and a very enjoyable 2014. Therese Maher getting her medal season with the quality of football, Is mise, le meas after such warrior-like service to the strength and momentum of inter- JOHN PRENTY county over the years. mediate side Kiltane and I won't be Runai, CLG Cuige Connachta The Connacht championship surprised if they bring further glory took on a life of its own – no one to their club. Fuerty overcame anticipated the huge gap that Mayo Headford in the Junior Final and has created between themselves they too have been very impressive and the rest. Firstly they outclassed on their way to picking up their ‘Into the West’ Galway, then Roscommon and sub- county and provincial titles. sequently London in the provincial The intermediate hurling cham- final. pionship saw the return of Tooreen The 2013 championship will be to the Connacht final and they put Keep yourself in the loop. Sign up today for your free remembered in particular for the up a gallant display against the electronic copy of the magazine – emailed directly to march of London footballers. Firstly, eventual winners your Inbox. To sign up, email [email protected] when they defeated Sligo, then Kilnadeema/Leitrim, and I know they took Leitrim to a replay and they will cherish their opportunity to ‘Into the West’ is produced by the Connacht GAA Council. after a hugely impressive first half represent Galway and Connacht. Editor: John Fallon. Published by: Pádraig Corcoran. display they claimed victory. They Great progress has been made News and photographs for inclusion can be emailed to were worthy of their place in their in hurling in Sligo and for the sec- [email protected]. To obtain an electronic copy of the first ever Connacht Final and I con- ond year in a row Calry/St Joseph's magazine each quarter, free of charge, gratulate them on what was truly a were crowned provincial junior email: [email protected]. special year for them. champions. I wish all the teams • Next edition: February, 2014. Deadline for advertising and Mayo continued their march with representing the province the very copy will be announced on the Connacht Council website – improved displays against Donegal best in their competition www.connachtgaa.ie. and Tyrone, and in contesting a Beannachtaí na Nollag oraibh Cover Photos – Main Picture: Castlebar Mitchels captain Donal Newcombe celebrates Mitchels' AIB Connacht Senior Club Foot- second All-Ireland final in a row, go léir agus athbhliain faoi mhaise. ball Championship Final win. Photo: David Maher / SPORTSFILE they did Connacht proud. With the Is mise, Inset: Claire Egan celebrates Carnacon's All-Ireland win. expertise, determination and the Frank Burke, Photo: David Maher / SPORTSFILE meticulously planned programme President, Inset: Claregalway's Marian Moran and Emer Joyce celebrate their win in the All-Ireland Ladies intermediate final after their that James Horan will continue Connacht Council GAA victory over Thomas Davis. Photo: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE Page 2 Carnacon’s finest hour...............................................4 Mighty Mitchels are High Kings again ........................6 Corofin well beaten ...................................................9 Kiltane capture first Connacht club crown.................10 Connacht Man of the Match Connacht Club Championship round-up.....................11 Awards, 2013 Noel McHale: Memories that will never fade..............16 Carnacon Ladies take fifth All- Irelad title All-Ireland glory for Claregalway Ladies....................17 Connacht Conventions round-up................................18 Connacht Coaching and Games ..................................24 Play and Stay Activity Days in Croke Park..................28 Pitch Maintenance with the Rossies ..........................34 Connacht GAA Man of the Match Awards ...................36 Corofin U-21s complete fine year 2013 Galway Cuman na mBunscoil competitions........38 with county title Cstlebar Mitchels take back title Connacht Coaching wiht Denis O’Boyle ......................40 after 20 year gap Focus on Galway ........................................................42 Turlough make no mistake in replay..........................45 Corofin complete fine year with U-21 title..................47 Burke brace seals win for Ballyhaunis CS...................48 Bohola Moy Davitts County U-21 A Champions ...........49 Successful year for Cill Chomain club ........................50 Bohola Moy Davits – Mayo St Gers hold out in five-star performance..................53 County U-21 A champions Claregalway Ladies win All-Ire- land Intermediate crown Breaffy minors reign supreme...................................54 Dermot Earley programme launched.........................55 Super season for Castleconnor ..................................56 Conor Brady - fondly remembered by St Pat’s ...........58 Handball: Sligo players claim Connacht titles ............59 Ladies Football and Camogie All-Star awards ............60 Wheelchair Hurling interprovincial............................62 John Tobin – right of every child Super season for Castleconnor to get an opportunity to play Personality of the Month winners..............................64 GAA Page 3 LADIES FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CLUB FINAL Carnacon’s finest hour Carnacon (Mayo)...... 1-6 Donaghmoyne (Monaghan)........... 0-8 By MIKE FINNERTY Mayo News HE sight of the entire Carnacon team defending en masse, protect- ing their own goal, preserving their Tlead in the dying seconds of last Sunday’s All-Ireland club final is an image that will stand the test of time for their loyal sup- porters.