Longford winning the Leinster minor (U-17) football championship title the major highlight

County Scene 

“Longford teams had varied results but pride of place in 2024 must go to our County Minors (U-17) and their Management team of Enda, Gerry, Fintan, Podgie, Dermot, Gavin & Séimí on winning the Leinster Minor Football Championship Final after extra-time. 

“This panel were not tipped for success at the beginning of the season but as the season progressed, they grew in stature, and nothing phased them. This was proven by the fact that they beat Dublin in Round  2 and again in the Final – not too many counties can claim this great achievement.

“This will-to-win was instilled in them by a Management Team who left no stone unturned from beginning to end and thus their success was just reward for their efforts. The results of the two games mentioned above also gave Longford supporters a rightful pep in their step and it was amazing to be in either Allen Park or Glenisk O’Connor Park to witness the scenes of unbridled joy following the final whistle in both games. 

“My thanks to the panel of players and all in the Management and Backroom who made 2024 a special one for Longford. The Parents and Clubs of this group are also to be commended for their efforts in nurturing these young men to achieve within the GAA. 

“Our Coaching & Games Staff and the various people who have taken charge of Development Squads over the years also had a part to play in this success. 

“Our senior football team won back-to-back O’Byrne Cups in what was a great start to 2024 but unfortunately this early run of form did not extend into the league campaign where we struggled in the early stages before nervously taking our first win away to Waterford. 

“We got right back into the competition from here on and went into the last game with promotion in our sights. 

“Wexford had other ideas and took us apart from the throw-in and another year in Division 4 was the end result. I felt that everything that could be done to achieve success throughout this league campaign and especially in the lead up to this game was done including the overnight. 

“We seemed to have acquitted ourselves well in our home Leinster Championship game against Meath but then again did either of us really want to face Dublin? 

“On then to the Tailteann Cup, a second championship set up for the Longford’s of this world, but our record/interest in this competition since its inception is not good and 2024 was to be no different. Defeats to Kildare, Leitrim and Waterford was to be our lot and so ended a season in which the O’Byrne Cup success was by now a distant memory. 

“As is customary at the end of each year, a number of Officers carried out a review separately with each of the following: Team Management, Backroom and Players. What a difference a year makes in that the corresponding review of 2023 was one of the most productive in all my time in this position, 2024 was the opposite. 

“Despite the urgings of the County Board Officers, his selectors and many of the backroom team, Paddy Christie made a decision to step down and so began another search for a new manager. 

“Thanks to Paddy, Dessie & Cosmas for your efforts and commitment and to the players who did likewise. “Following an interview process Mike Solan (Mayo) was ratified as the new manager for 2025. I hope that the panel and the clubs will get behind this new management team. 

“You will remember that last year our hurling reps made an impassionate plea through their clubs at county board to ensure that proposals from Croke Park to dispense with the Allianz League competition did not happen. Our representative at Ard Comhairle, along with other counties representatives, ensured our players got as they demanded..  

“A very committed effort was put in by our hurlers and the Management team from then on which led to a home League semi-final appearance against Warwickshire and a Lory Meagher Final in Croke Park versus Fermanagh. 

“Unfortunately, we did not reap success in either fixture. Converse to the football review, we heard nothing but praise for everyone involved and for everything that was done throughout the course of the year and the players made personal representations to Adrian Moran and his management team seeking that they remain on. 

“Thankfully they did but over the past few weeks when arrangements were being made for the coming year regarding availability, testing and gym programmes problems began to surface. 

“We have lost a large number of quality players from last year with travel and retirements and we also have a few long-term injuries/players not coming back until January at the earliest. 

“All these issues were discussed at a recent County Board meeting following which team management have tried and failed to get sufficient numbers together and last week decided to step down. 

“County Board Officers and Team Management have been criticised by the clubs for bringing players into the county with relevant connections to play but it has been very obvious for the past few years that without these players Longford would not have an intercounty team. 

“It is now time that the adult hurling sections come together with the Hurling Committee and develop a strategic plan for the survival of the county team until the fruits of those clubs now promoting underage hurling throughout the county are reaped.

“Congratulations also to our U-20 football squad who reached the Andrew Corden Cup Final (B section) after a win over Offaly in the group stage and in the semi-final against Wexford. 

“A purple patch in the final quarter versus Louth saw them hit us for 1-5 and thus ended our hope of participating in the A section of the U-20 competition. 

“The Leinster ‘B’ final was a peculiar game in that Westmeath were superior but also squandered many chances. Good goalkeeping at the beginning of the second half and a late surge meant that Longford came back from an eight-point deficit to lose by the narrowest of margins. 

“The Management team have decided to call it a day and Mostrim clubman Brían Noonan will now take over for 2025. 

“My thanks to Kieran, Dan, Ray and Mark for their efforts over the past number of years and also to the players who gave of their time.

“Our County U-20 hurlers had just one outing against Monaghan in a new ‘C’ competition which seems to have been enthusiastically received by all the participants. I’d encourage, calendar allowing, a move towards a round robin type competition (3/4 games) in place in order to keep players and help transition them to the senior ranks. Thanks to the management of Tommy Hawes & Brían Crossan for all their work.

“To all the players from U14 to Senior, Hurling and Football and their respective Managements, many thanks for your commitment in 2024 and I hope that 2025 brings you and family health and happiness in whatever task you take on.” 

Club Scene

“Sunday last, 8th December, brought the curtain down on another busy club fixtures programme. I sincerely thank the players, managements & backroom, club officers and of course the supporters for their cooperation in getting through such a hectic programme. 

“Above all a big shout out to all referees, line umpires and score umpires for your dedication and without whom none of the above would happen. This year’s review of adult competitions was agreed for a two year period and saw format changes to each of the championships which, when complete, will lead to a balancing of the numbers over each of the three premier championships.

“It is nice to report, for only the second occasion in my tenure, the success of my own club, Abbeylara in winning this year’s Peter Hanley Motors Senior Championship Final following a two-match encounter with Colmcille. 

“I don’t think anyone had forecast this pairing when the draws were made back in May. Winning a championship is every club’s goal/dream and the unbridled scenes of joy following the final whistle and on the homecoming will live long in the memory of both young and old. 

“One man who would have been very proud of this win was Fr. Michael Campbell PP, who sadly died at the end of August. During his 22 years in our Parish, he served 12 as Chairperson of Abbeylara GAA during which time he played a major role in the development of our club and its facilities. 

“Fr. Manning Gaels were the underdogs going into the Mulleady Group Intermediate Championship Final but they delivered against a Seán Connolly’s team who were also beaten finalists the previous year. 

“The hard work being done over the years at all levels in Grattan Óg came to fruition this year against  neighbours Longford Slashers when they won the Junior Championship Final which this year had a new sponsor – The Rustic Inn.

 “Congratulations to  Wolfe Tones Mostrim on winning the county senior  hurling championship title. 

“Whilst success did not come our way in the AIB Leinster Club competitions at Senior and Intermediate level which was probably due to the refixed finals which led to a short turnaround, great credit to Grattan Óg who were most unlucky not to reach the Junior final.”

New Rules & Referees  

“I believe that the 49 motions passed at the recent Special Congress each have merit and in time the vast majority will be accepted as having a positive effect on the much-maligned game of Gaelic Football. I congratulate the Committee for the volume of work carried out over a very short time.

 “However, I have two concerns – one intercounty and one club. The failure to keep the Provincial Accident Tournaments will not help Longford and similar counties trial the new rules in advance of the commencement of the Allianz Leagues as it is very hard for Division 4 counties to source challenge games with other higher division counties. 

“This decision will, as proven in the past, lead to an increased number of unauthorised challenge games. My second concern as voiced by Longford at Special Congress is the implementation of these rules at adult club level from 1st January next given our limited numbers of referees.

“I would have supported a deferral of some of the playing rules but not the disciplinary ones, but that option was not on the table. Should we not increase our referee numbers over the coming Spring, something we have paid lip service to over many years, we will not have enough referees to officiate.

 “One possible solution would be to train up a secondary group of line umpires and indeed score umpires to officiate at games and bill clubs accordingly.

“I applaud my own club for forwarding a couple of agenda items for discussion at County Board level regarding referee upskilling and assessments but to succeed this needs to be rolled out in tandem with a recruitment programme.”

Fundraising

“This year saw Club Longford reach go even further with signage sales as far away as the US. Thanks to Derek Sheridan who has taken on this project and the many sign holders around Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in particular the diaspora. 

“Mark Connellan has decided to implement the 5-year rule and take a well-earned rest from the role of Chairperson of this important fundraising arm.

“I thank Mark for his commitment in driving on this committee and presume it won’t be long until he’ll be back as eager as ever. 

“Derek Sheridan has agreed to take over the role and I extend my thanks to him along with Thomas Conefrey (Secretary), Pat O’Brien (Treasurer), Brendan McLoughlin, John Finn and others for what they do in the name of Longford GAA..

 “Someone for whom there is no 5 year rule is Martin Skelly who along with John Bannon, Padraig Brady, Oliver Barden, Enda Conefrey, Jas Gilna, Billy Glennon, Dave Kelly, Mickey Joe Keogh, Frank Kiernan, Eamon O’Flaherty and Seamus Ross heads up our wonderful Race Day Committee which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. 

“The various fundraisers ran by the groups above would ultimately not be the success they are without the backing of the clubs, their members, businesses and the general public. Many thanks to each and everyone who purchases a ticket(s) for some or all of the above.

New Chairperson 

“This is a momentous night for Derek Fahy, his family and his Club as he assumes the role of Cathaoirleach. I trust he will enjoy his role and along with his fellow members of the Management and Finance Committee pursue what’s in the best interest of Longford GAA.

Longford GAA Convention in St Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesboro, this Thursday night, 7.30pm start