Boyle GAA's Fine Week-End
Boyle teams had some notable success over the week end. The girls U 12 side had a convincing win in the final of the Division 1 B competition when defeating St. Ciaran's on the score of, Boyle 5.7 St. Ciaran's 04. This side has been very impressive under the guidance of Adrian Brogan and team. It augers well for the future of the ladies game in the town. Years ago I remember people saying that there was not much in the way of sporting activity for girls but Boyle GAA club has certainly done its bit that respect in recent years. We will always remember the contribution of Sean Daly, Fr. Derek Gormley, Theresa Warde and Tom Commins amongst others in this regard. The sound of the car horns and celebratory cavalcade of winning teams is one of the memorable joys of being a young and winning sports activist. Once again a Boyle side were 'Simply the Best' which was the theme song we used on those occasions in the past. This prompted one very young observer then to suggest that t.c. had a very limited collection with only that one song!
'McGovern Directional Drilling' Boyle Seniors Fine Display
Boyle's victory over Elphin in the first game of the senior championship was probably the best display by a Boyle side since, maybe Kilbride in the rain, some years ago now. While it was accepted that Boyle have a number of very good players the overall balance was going to be the query. In this they all came up trumps with the performance of Mark McGovern rolling back the years being a major talking point. It must be said that Elphin's performance was puzzling and way below expectations. I am aware that they are missing a number of players through emigration. Recent campaigns where they reached the final zone without success may have blunted their motivation. They have a job to do now. Still one swallow while it may indicate a summer still doesn't make a summer. I do not wish to start analysing the game that is done elsewhere. The game goes a good way to securing Boyle for senior Championship next year, so one important box was ticked there. So Peter Bolger had something of the Cheshire Cat smile about him on Friday evening and deservedly so. This week continues with two very important Senior League games with Padraig Pearse's on Wednesday away and St. Faithleach's on Sunday in Boyle. (For all Boyle GAA Club activity log into their weekly blog and also Facebook).
One of the really impressive features of the fixture on Friday evening was the huge effort put in by the host club Shannon Gaels. The pitch was in great shape, there were numerous stewards to help with parking, there was a fine sound system and tea to boot. But the really significant thing was the welcome and the pride that the club took in having the Senior Championship game at their venue and the lengths they went to ensure all was in order.
Among those I saw busily engaged in all this were Al O'Dowd, Chris O'Dowd, James Deane, John Heslin and Ollie Donagher with many more. So well done to Shannon Gaels. A couple of questions doing the rounds on the evening were; When was the last time Elphin and Boyle met in the senior championship and
the more difficult one of when did they meet in such a tie in Croghan?
Both Boyle National Schools Contest Finals
St. Joseph's National School went down to a very good Ballybay (St. Brigid's
School) in the top schools final on Tuesday evening in Ballyleague. They had already beaten Abbey National School Roscommon, Cornafulla and Creagh on their way to the final. While they did not win that final their success in being there is commendable as it is a very difficult competition to win and I commend Fuerty footballer and their teacher Sean Melia on his efforts.
Scoil na nAingeal Naofa, Boyle, went down to Cornafulla in their final. I imagine a good few of these young ladies had tasted success with the U 12s'
referred to above so they too can reflect on a good season.
The World Cup
The World Cup is really hotting up and it is proving to be hugely entertaining, at least I think so. The atmosphere is matched by the exotic colours of the supporters of the competing countries. The two stand-out demolition games have been Holland over Spain and Germany of Portugal. I enjoyed the England game versus Italy but not the result. It was a real chess game and in Sterling a real talent seems to be emerging. The shock result has to go to Costa Rica's (north of Panama) victory over Uruguay.
Today's (Wed. ) stand out game is Spain seeking to recover v Chile, first game winners over Australia and tomorrow it is the vital tie Uruguay v England.
Errata
Next Thursday night Christy Moore comes to Boyle so I'll probably take a break from Brazil. Then with this beautiful weather there are turf possibilities.
A couple of weeks ago I had a very interesting talk with Carlo Cretaro who travels the world with his partner on the back their very imaginative web site 'next stop who knows'. He is currently in Rio de Janeiro [River
(discovered) of January] and thus soaking up the World Cup atmosphere.
Last month I had a visit from Pat and John Nicholson former Boyle and Roscommon footballers of the latter sixties. Pat is in California and was very impressed when I showed him the current GAA facilities at the Abbey Park.
I see also that Eoin Kennedy has returned to winning ways on the handball circuit after dropping back due to life commitments. Eoin is the son of Eugene Kennedy, nephew of Pat and Joe and grandson of Master Kennedy. Eoin has been an outstanding handballer for a number of years now and has amassed a huge number of titles in the various codes. The death of Mrs. Patricia
(Patti) Purcell reminds me of other Boyle handballers, her brothers Tom and Seami Gaughran from the Golden Age of Boyle handball when Paddy Perry was the crown prince and Casey's alley in St. Patrick's Street resounded to the
echo of the handball.
Sin é for this week. t.c.
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