Longford GAA: Purchase of site for training centre a major positive

A quick summary of some of the positives in 2023

• The purchase of lands adjacent to Glennon Brothers Pearse Park for the development of a Training Centre.

• Winning the O’Byrne Cup gave Longford a short-lived bounce following the appointment of new senior football manager, Paddy Christie.

• New 3-year deal signed with our sponsors of 11 years Glennon Brothers.

• Club Longford continues to raise its profile and increase the funding available to enhance Longford GAA.

• Kenagh win the Intermediate Championship for the first time in 40 years.

• Setting up of an underage hurling section in Dromard.

• The Race Day Committee looks forward to its 20th year.

• Fr. Manning Cup success at U-16 level.

• Clonguish complete a clean sweep of football titles from U-14 to U-21.

- Clonguish Gaels senior hurlers retain the Duignan Cup

• Successful Puc Fada competition was held on Bord na Mona property at Kenagh.

• Leinster Scór success for Erin Ross (Ballymore) and Seamus Cahill (Seán Connolly’s).

There were however a few negatives along the way including:

• The drop to Division 4 in the National Football League 

• Having reached the final of the U-20 Football Philly McGuinness Tournament, our failure to play the fixture.

• The failure of some counties to fulfil a number of fixtures in the O’Byrne Cup which ultimately devalued the competition.

County Scene

“Our Senior Football team were under new management this year and got a bounce from this by winning the opening rounds of the O’Byrne Cup Tournament v Laois and Carlow and getting a draw against Meath. These results got us to the O’Byrne Cup Final where we had 10pts to spare on Louth.

“Our League campaign saw us lose heavily in the opening 3 rounds against Fermanagh, Westmeath and Cavan. With just one draw and one win in the remaining 4 games, we have been relegated to Division 4 for 2024.

“Relegation to Division 4 did not happen over the course of this year’s League, no we have been tethering on the brink for the past number of years.

“2022 saw us stay in Division 3 on the head-to-head on the last day v Laois and 2021 saw us win a relegation semi-final v Tipperary. In the player review meeting last July, I had to admire the honesty of the player reps in their assessment of the year and their desire to only spend one year in Division 4.

“We faced Offaly in the opening round of the Leinster Football Championship in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on 9th April less than a month since our opponents suffered the sudden death of their manager, Liam Kearns.  

“In a fixture memorable for several superb scores, good play and errors, the sides were level on five occasions with Offaly winning by the narrowest of margins.

“2023 saw the Tailteann Cup get its first full outing since its inception. Longford were drawn into a group with Carlow, Limerick and Wicklow. We were unlucky in our first outing away to Limerick and made huge amends at home v Wicklow.

“The 3rd round was a neutral venue game in Portlaoise against Carlow and this proved to be the proverbial banana skin in that we were possibly a little complacent going into the fixture. 

“However, we seemed to have gained control but from the hour mark on we then let Carlow score 7 unanswered points which allowed them to win by 3. 

“Finishing 3rd in the group stages meant we travelled to Newry whereas Carlow had a home game against New York. Losing by a goal at half- time, Down sprung their bench to excellent effect and outscored us 1-12 to 0-04 in the second half to bring the curtain down on the inter-county footballing year.

“The U-20 side, under the management of Kieran Carey, reached the final of the Philly McGuinness Development Tournament against Armagh.

“I felt it lacked respect for the tournament and was disappointing, especially for the players who got us this far, that a decision was taken not to play the final because of the venue chosen - which was the only one available that day given the weather. 

“Is it right that we give out about teams being pulled out of O’Byrne Cup fixtures. People in glasshouses and all of that comes to mind! 

“We did not progress beyond the group stages of the Leinster Championship having suffered defeats to Meath and Laois and a win against Carlow.

“At Under 17 level we were placed in a strong Leinster Championship and suffered losses to both Laois and Kildare. Our final game was against Offaly and  we were defeated by a single point. 

“Having regrouped we reached the Semi-Final of the Seamus Heaney Cup with a 2 point victory over Westmeath and 18 points to spare over Carlow before succumbing to Louth by 17 points.

“Testament to the great work that is ongoing with the Development Squads is the fact that Longford won the Fr. Manning Cup U-16 Final for the second time in 3 years with a 1 point win in the final against Leitrim.

“A big thank you to all the Players who represented the County and their Clubs at Senior, U-20 and U-17 levels in 2023.

“Thanks also to the various Managers – Paddy Christie, Adrian Moran, Kieran Carey, Tony Devlin, Enda McGahern and their respective Back Room teams for all their efforts. 

“Tony Devlin has decided to call it a day at Under 17 and we now look forward to the efforts of Enda McGahern and his Backroom Team in 2024 as they step up after their Fr. Manning success.

“Unfortunately, Michael Kenny has also left the Senior footballers backroom team for 2024 due to a work promotion and he has been replaced by Rathcline's Gareth Johnston.

“On the Hurling side of things, we did enough in the Allianz  League to reach the semi-final where we succumbed to our near neighbours Leitrim.

“We went into the final round of the league stages of the Lory Meagher Cup against Monaghan needing a win and for results elsewhere going our way to get to the final for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be against Monaghan and thus the campaign ended at the end of the league stages.

“I  wish to thank the small core of people who continuously promote the game in Clonguish, Kenagh, Longford Slashers and Wolfe Tones and not forgetting those in our newest Club in Dromard.”

Club Scene

“The last weekend of November saw the completion of our fixtures programme for the year. This would not have been possible but for the cooperation that CCCC received from all Clubs and the various County Team Managements.

“Congratulations to Killoe Young Emmets on winning the Seán Connolly Cup; Kenagh, who after a 40-year absence, won the Intermediate Championship in taking home the Gerry Hennessy Cup and Ballymore who won the Junior Championship.

“At underage level there was only one winner of championships – congrats to Clonguish who took all the honours from U-14 to U-21 inclusive. This great work surely sets them up to be a force for the future. 

“Their adult Hurling team, Clonguish Gaels also retained the JJ Duignan Cup having also won the Hurling Championship last year.”

Referees/Discipline

“This headline has become a regular in my reports over the years and this year is no exception for two reasons in particular, namely verbal abuse and lack of numbers. This past year saw an increasing amount of verbal abuse directed by spectators, mentors and players at our match officials.

“CCCC have taken a tougher stance on this area during the year, but some Clubs still try to justify their action by blaming the performance of the referee. There are two means of changing this culture with both coming from the Club: 1. prioritising respect of match officials and 2. actively promoting the recruitment of new referees.

“Many thanks to all match officials who helped run off our fixtures programme. Thanks also to Patrick and Fergal who keep the Longford flag flying at Provincial and National level and congratulations to both Hugh O’Kane and Mark Glancy who were recently honoured by Leinster GAA who appointed them both to referee in the Middle East.

 “A special word of thanks to our Referees Administrator, Derek Nolan who puts a huge effort into looking after the welfare of Referees as well as ensuring, along with James, Joe and Tommy that every game is covered.

Training Centre

“Late this Summer, Longford GAA successfully purchased a site adjacent to Glennon Brothers Pearse Park which when developed will become a state-of-the-art Training Centre for all our teams. 

“This would not have been possible without Club Longford (who put up the deposit) and Croke Park who gave us the remainder of the purchase price in a number of different formats. “We have been here before on two occasions and so I hope that this will be third time lucky. Be under no illusions that it will take many more millions and some time to fully develop this site and I would hope that all of our Clubs would get behind this project in whatever way is necessary in order to see it to fruition.”

Sponsorship/Fundraising

“Glennon Brothers, our sponsors since 2012, have this year signed up to the sponsorship of Longford teams and the naming rights of Glennon Brothers Pearse Park for a further 3 years bringing their commitment up to the end of 2025.

“Not alone that but they will organise a further Longford Lunch in Croke Park next November. This event last November raised a whopping €85,000 nett which is ringfenced towards our loan repayments on the upgrade works carried out on Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. 

“This would not have been possible but for the contacts that Glennon Brothers and their staff made on behalf of Longford GAA. To Mike, Pat and Billy, and your staff, many thanks for your commitment to Longford GAA and continued success to your business.

“Club Longford continues to go from strength to strength as can be seen from the Financial Statements. Many thanks to each and every member of this group who have had a busy year be it through the Car Draw, Golf Classic, Pitch Signage or online draw. 

“A special mention must go to John Finn who has recently stepped down as its Treasurer. Residing in faraway Cork did not hinder his efforts for the cause. His attention to detail especially in financial governance added to the ability of this group to fundraise for Longford GAA.

“Longford GAA also greatly appreciate those of you who purchased tickets and gave sponsorship towards our Car Draw, played in our Golf Classic and sponsored pitch signage. A special thanks to Mike Brewster and Bill Murray who sponsored the Golf Classic. 

“The fundraising efforts of Club Longford continue with an online draw for 2 tickets for ColdPlay and accommodation in The Croke Park Hotel. For tickets go to www.longfordgaa.ie – tickets are only €10 each and the draw takes place before Christmas.

“Our Race Day continues to be a great success and is the envy of many counties. This is a fantastic day’s entertainment at a spectacular venue where you are guaranteed to meet wonderful people. 

“Thanks to our sponsors – Sherry Fitzgerald Brady O’Flaherty and in particular Declan, to Martin & John in Longford and Padraig in Dublin who oversees a group of devoted

Longford GAA people who make this event a great day to be a Longford person.

“I also wish to thank all the Clubs and businesses who attend this event, especially the ex-Pats in London who take time out of their busy schedule to travel over.

“Many thanks to all of our other sponsors – Peter Hanley Motors, Mulleady Group and O’Neill’s. Currently we have no sponsors of Underage Competitions and this is something that needs to be rectified in 2024.

“The great work done by all of the above has in no small way turned around our deficit of last year.”

Mrs D Rest in Peace 

“Each year someone steeped in the GAA at local or National level passes to their eternal reward and 2023 unfortunately was no different. Last April we had the sad passing of Philomena Donoghue known to one and all as Mrs. D. 

“How many thousands of cups of tea did she pour in Áras Uí Bhriain over many, many years? She had a welcome for everyone (except if you got into her bad books!) from the young child right up to the GAA President or other high ranking officials. 

“To Phil and family, my deepest sympathies and thank you for sharing her with Longford GAA.”

Longford GAA Convention in Backstage Theatre this Thursday night, 7.30pm