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LOCAL NEWS ARCHIVE - APRIL 2001
This
Week's News
Irish
Night
Cornafean GFC are hosting a unique Irish Night next Saturday night in McSeains, which will feature a great variety of entertainment. The special guest on the night will be the veteran traditional entertainer Eugene Leddy of Butlersbridge, who for many years led a very successful ceili group, regarded as one of the finest and most popular ceili groups in the country. His daughter Kathy Durkan, Ballinagh has of course gained much fame in her own right as a singer and entertainer in more recent times. This visit by Eugene Leddy to Cornafean is all the more fitting at this present time as the local GAA club are the current holders of the Junior Championship trophy, the Sean Leddy Memorial Cup, named in honour of Eugene’s son Sean, a great servant of Cavan GAA, who died suddenly a few years ago. This trophy will be on prominent display on the night.
Among the various entertainers performing on the night will be the Shannon Gaels singers and set dancers, Ulster Scor finalists this year, as well as the Killeshandra Dancers, with their “Lords of the Lake” dance routine as performed on RTE television. Also taking part will be the well-known Lacken comedians Padraig Brady and Mel Lynch, and Brian & Geraldine McCaffrey, supported by the Cornafean Ceili Group, plus a variety of local artists.
This promises to be a great night’s entertainment for everyone, and a large attendance is expected.
Cornafean
Online
For several months, the local Community Development Association have been
working of the development of a local community website for Cornafean. This
project is now almost completed and the Cornafean Online community website will
be launched at a reception in McSeain's on Friday 25th May. The site will bring
information on the local area to Cornafean people both at home and in all
corners of the globe.
There was disappointment for local football supporters on Sunday last when Cornafean’s league game against Maghera had to be cancelled as the pitch at Pairc Naoimh Fionnain was unplayable due to recent heavy rain. Next weekend, Cornafean travel to Butlersbridge to take on the locals in Round 6 of the Lakeside Manor league. The ‘Bridge have been going well in this year’s league and as usual this promises to be a tightly-contested game that could go either way.
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Death of Packie Phair
There was widespread sorrow and regret throughout Cornafean last weekend on the news of the death of Packie Phair, one of the greatest footballers ever to play for Cornafean and Cavan. He died, aged 90, at his home in Killeshandra on last Saturday, 21st April 2001. He was predeceased by his wife Susan (nee Doherty) some years ago. Throughout his long life, Packie was held in very high esteem by everyone who knew him. Along with his wife, he owned and operated their well-known public house in Killeshandra for many years.
His death marks the end of an era in the history of the GAA in Co. Cavan. He was the last surviving member of both the Cavan teams which brought glory to the county by winning two All Ireland senior titles in the 1930's and also of the Cornafean teams which won four Senior County Championship titles between 1932 and 1936.
Packie Phair first played football for Cornafean in 1930 and he soon made his mark at both club and county level. In 1931, he was regarded as Cornafean's man of the match in a classic senior championship final against Cavan Slashers, which the Slashers won by 3-4 to 0-8. Two weeks earlier, he had been a substitute on the Cavan senior county team which lost narrowly to Kildare in the All Ireland Semi-final. He starred in defence on the Cornafean teams which won four senior Championship titles in a five-year period between 1932 and 1936. This was the “Golden Age” of football in Cornafean when Packie Phair, along with others such as Packie Devlin, Big Tom O’Reilly, Josie Martin, Ned O’Reilly and Mick Dinneny, brought football to new heights within the county.
However his greatest achievements were undoubtedly as a defender on the Cavan senior side which captured the county's first senior All-Ireland title in 1933, and which repeated this feat in 1935. In 1933, he played alongside his clubmates Willie Young, Mick Dinneny and Big Tom O'Reilly on the Cavan team which dethroned the reigning four-in-a-row All Ireland champions Kerry in the All Ireland semi-final in Breffni Park, and which proceeded to beat Galway in the All Ireland Final. A year later he was on the Cavan team which lost a controversial All Ireland semi-final to Galway, in the game remembered as "the Tuam fiasco". The attendance of some 20,000 spectators was much too high for the grounds and the game took more than two hours to finish due to numerous stoppages due to pitch incursions.
Pat Phair was once again a Breffni star in the 1935 All Ireland Final, where Cavan beat Kildare. Writing of his contribution to that success in his classic book “the Football Immortals”, the famed GAA writer, the late Raymond Smith, paid tribute to him as follows: "On the left was Pat Phair of Cornafean, reckoned by many of the best Cavan judges to have had no equal in his position in his day and not surpassed in it by any other man wearing the Breifne colours."
Packie’s keen interest in football continued down through the years and he avidly followed the fortunes of Cornafean, and later of Killeshandra Leaguers. In October
1983, Packie was honoured, along with his surviving colleagues of the victorious Cornafean teams of the 1930's, as part of the celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of Cornafean GFC. In November 1999, he joined many Cavan stars of yesteryear at the Mass and special function organised by Cornafean GFC in commemoration of his old colleague John Joe O'Reilly. A month later, he was honoured by his selection at left half-back in the Cavan Team of the Century. At the time of his death, he was an honorary Vice-President of Cavan GAA County Board. His son, Fr.
John ministered in Coronea from 1989 until the mid-1990's and played a very active role in GAA and other community activities in the locality during that time.
We extend deepest sympathy to his sons Fr. John, Neil, Jimmy, Paddy and Anthony, daughters Mary and Helen, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and other relatives. There were huge attendances at the removal of his remains to St Brigid's Church, Killeshandra on Sunday evening last and at the Funeral on Monday morning, with burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Charity Table Quiz
The Charity Table Quiz held in McSeains, on last Friday night was a great success, with over £300 being raised for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick
Children, Crumlin. The quiz was organised by Caroline Crowe, who deserves
great credit for her enterprise in running this event. On this Friday night, 27th April, Caroline is again running a Table Quiz, this time in the Farnham Arms Hotel, Cavan with all proceeds going to the same worthy cause. Once
again, she is hoping for a great attendance at this quiz. There will be numerous spot prizes, and the questions will be designed to suit everyone, whether or not they are regular quiz-goers. A great night's entertainment and fun is in store for all, and everyone is welcome. The quiz starts at 9.30pm.
Football
On next Sunday afternoon, Cornafean entertain Maghera in round 5 of the Lakeside Manor Division 3 League in Pairc Naoimh Fionnain, with the throw-in at 3pm. This will be a stern test for Cornafean, as the Meath-border side have been making a great impression in the first four rounds of the league and Cornafean will need to raise their game significantly to achieve their first win of the current campaign. The Conafean reserves were due to play Swanlinbar last Saturday evening in the reserve league but the game was cancelled as a mark of respect to the late Packie Phair.
Community Development Association
A meeting of Cornafean Community Development Association will be held in McSeain's on this Thursday night, 26th April, at 9pm. There are a number
of important matters to be discussed including plans for the forthcoming launch of
the local community website, a tourist brochure for the locality and also work to date on the design of a series of walking trails in the locality. Everyone in the locality is invited to attend.
Golf League
A four-week Golf League is currently being organised at Cornafean Golf Course. The League will be held on Saturdays and Sundays over the next four weekends and everyone is welcome to take part. Those interested should register by signing the entry sheet in McSeains. The entry fee is £5 and entrants are requested to record their scores on a weekly basis. Prizes will be presented to the winners at the end of the four-week
period.
On Sunday last, Catherina McKiernan made a welcome return to competition after 10 months out through injury when she finished second in a four-mile road race at Dunboyne, Co Meath. Catherina’s career was been disrupted by injury in recent years, but she showed good form in finishing just seven seconds behind the winner, Majeline Chinyor of Kenya, on a time of 20 minutes, 31 seconds. After the race she said that her training programme has been going well in recent weeks and that she was glad to be back running competitively again. This was her first race since she was forced through injury to opt out of last Autumn’s Sydney Olympics.
Death of Kathleen O'Reilly
There was widespread sadness in the area last week on the death of Ms.
Kathleen O'Reilly, Drumambry, who died on Tuesday 10th April at the Care for the
Elderly Unit at Lisdarn, Cavan, after a long illness. Kathleen was a very warm
and friendly woman who was held in high regard by everyone who knew her.
Sadly, she suffered from a disabling illness for many years, during which
time she received nursing care in St. Felim’s Hospital Cavan and the Lisdarn
Care for the Elderly Unit. She bore her illness with great courage and patience
and was rarely known to complain no matter how much she suffered.
There was a large attendance at the removal of her remains to St. Brigid’s Church, Killeshandra on Wednesday evening last and at the Funeral Mass on Holy Thursday, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. Deepest sympathy is extended to her sister, Mrs Eilish Haley (Drumambry), her brother-in-law Ian, niece nephew and other relatives.
Table
Quiz
A
Table Quiz will be held in McSeains, on next Friday night, 20th
April, starting at 9pm. The proceeds will be in aid of Crumlin Children’s
Hospital. The questions should be suitable for most people, whether or not they
are regular quiz-goers, and there will be a good complement of questions
relating to the locality. There will also be numerous spot prizes. A great
night’s entertainment and fun is in store for all, and everyone is welcome.
Football
Cornafean played Kill on Monday afternoon in Round 3 of the Lakeside Manor Division 3 league in Rathluden Park, Tullyvin, and the game finished in a draw, with the teams level at nine points apiece. Cornafean found it hard to cope with the heavy conditions for much of the first half but a few good scores just before the interval put them in the lead, 0-5 to 0-4 at half time. The “Reds” looked set to win their first league points of the season when a great point from Art McSeain put them into a two point lead with six minutes remaining. However, Cornafean failed to score again in the closing stages and Kill clawed their way back into the game to draw level in the final seconds.
On Saturday evening next, the Cornafean junior footballers travel to Cootehill for Round 2 of the 2001 Reserve League last Sunday against the locals. Supporters should note that Sunday’s scheduled Senior game against Templeport has been postponed due to Templeport‘s involvement in the All Ireland Scor Finals. We take this opportunity to wish the Templeport Music Group every success in the Finals, which will be held on Saturday next in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney.
Football
The Cornafean junior footballers opened their campaign in the 2001 Reserve League last Sunday when they entertained Arva in Pairc Naoimh Fionnain. After an exciting game, the sides were level on a scoreline of Cornafean 2-7 Arva 1-10. Meanwhile a number of locals made the long trip to Ballinascreen on Sunday to support Cavan in their National Football League clash against Derry. The Cavan lads put up a great show in the first half but sadly had no answer for a powerful Derry side in the second half. On Easter Monday the Cornafean seniors have an away game in the Division 3 league against Kill in Rathluden Park, Tullyvin.
Death of Archie Smyth
There was deep sadness in the locality last week on the death of Mr. Archie
Smith, Farnadawley, Crossdoney, who died on Monday 2nd April in the Mater
Hospital, Dublin. A native of Newtown, Archie worked as a truck driver with
MacCormac Products, Killeshandra for many years. He was a very friendly and
pleasant man, who always loved a chat and who had a great sense of humour. His
work brought him to every corner of Ireland and he made many friends no matter
where he went.
There was a large attendance at Funeral Service in Kilmore Cathedral on last Thursday, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. Deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Edie Maud, sons Ivan and Fred, daughter-in-law, sisters Sarah, Millie and Jane, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
There was strong local interest in the annual Cavan Person of the Year awards which were jointly sponsored by Cavan Rehab and the Anglo Celt, as no less than three local individuals were among the ten nominees this year. Mrs Kathleen Armstrong, Gartinadress has a long record of service in the Irish Countrywomen’s Association and other voluntary groups, while Dessie Harrington, Drumkeeran, has been active in many areas over the years, including the Cornafean Community Development Association and the local Vintage Ploughing Association. The third nominee Mrs Ada Vance, Corhanna, is currently President of the County Federation of the ICA, and is also active at national level within that organisation. The Awards ceremony, which was previously postponed due to the Foot & Mouth crisis was held on last Monday night week, in the Hotel Kilmore, with a strong turnout of local people in attendance. We congratulate each of the three local nominees on this notable achievement.
Cake Sale
An Easter Cake Sale will be held in the Old School, Drumcor on Good Friday, 13th April after the 5pm ceremonies. The proceeds will be in aid of the Old School Refurbishment Fund. All support is welcome.
There was great interest and debate among local football followers earlier this week when the draws were made for the 2001 Meadow View Restaurant Intermediate Football Championship. In the first round, which will be played on a league basis, Cornafean will be competing against Drumalee, Lavey and Drung, last years Intermediate finalists. This will be a tough challenge for Cornafean in their first year in Intermediate ranks but no doubt manager Phil Cullen and his players will be hoping to reproduce some of the success they enjoyed in last year's Junior campaign
Cornafean Local Notes 2-4-01
No Joy in Scor
There was no joy for the Cornafean competitors at the Ulster Semi-Final of Senior Scor which were held in Killeshandra Community Centre on Saturday night last, and which featured the county champions of counties Cavan, Fermanagh and Donegal.
Cornafean were represented in the Question Time by Michael Dinneny, Brian Doyle and Tommy McGibney, who faced stiff opposition from Fanad, Co. Donegal and Ederny, Co Fermanagh. Fanad, who won the All Ireland title in this competition in 1992, were four points ahead of Cornafean midway through the quiz, and held on to win by the same margin after the final four rounds of team questions, during which both the leading teams answered all four team questions correctly.
In the Recitation & Storytelling competition, Michael McGibney delivered a great recitiation of "Mary Anne McGee" which drew a great response from the audience, but it was the Fermanagh champion Margaret Doogan of Lisnaskea Emmetts who qualified for the Ulster Final.
Cavan enjoyed a fairly successful night overall with the ceili dancers from Killeshandra, the Shannon Gaels Set Dancers and the Templeport Instrumental Music group all winning through to the provincial final. Our neighbours Ballinagh were somewhat unlucky to lose out to former All Ireland Champions Lisnaskea in the Novelty Act, while Ramor United produced great performances in the Solo Singing and Ballad Group, in their first appearance at this level in Scor. The Ulster Final is in Threemilehouse, Co. Monaghan on next Sunday night 8th April at 7.30pm.
Narrow Defeat
Cornafean and Castlerahan produced a cracking game in Division 3 of the Lakeside Manor All County League in Pairc Naoimh Fionnain last Sunday afternoon, with the visitors taking the league points on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-10. The game was a lot closer than the final scoreline would indicate, as the sides were level with just a minute remaining but Castlerahan took the initiative with a late point before an injury-time goal finally put paid to Cornafean's challenge.
The large attendance enjoyed a very entertaining and competitive game, despite the wet weather and the soft ground conditions. There was little between the teams in the early stages but Castlerahan enjoyed a great boost on the 20-minute mark when a good passing movement ended with the ball in the Cornafean net. Cornafean bounced back with three points to draw level at 0-6 to 1-3 just before the break, only for Castlerahan to reply with a point on the stroke of half-time. Art McSeain drew level for Cornafean within seconds of the restart but Castlerahan began to dominate and went three points clear before Thanasie Kaldanis scored a goal for the "Reds" midway through the second half. A Cornafean victory looked likely when Thanasie added a point to put Cornafean ahead with eight minutes left but Castlerahan had the edge in the final minutes and came back to draw level before pulling away for a four-point lead.
Although Cornafean will be disappointed to lose their second league game in succession, they can take some pride in a gutsy and committed performance. Although they lined out without several players, missing due to injuries and 'flu, they showed some of the spirit that had been sadly lacking the previous weekend against Mountnugent, and if they continue to work hard in the coming weeks, they can still make a big impression in the remainder of the league campaign.
Fundraising Scheme
Work has recently commenced on the construction of a new sports hall adjacent to the existing Cornafean G.F.C clubrooms. This new development will provide excellent facilities for indoor sports activities for the young people of the area. As well as a full sized sports gym, it will also provide a meeting room with kitchen facilities and storage rooms. In the future, this building will be of great benefit to the people of the area, especially to families and young people, as it will provide a focal point for the entire community to partake in the activities of their choice, especially throughout the long winter months.
In the near future, it is intended to avail of funding from the various departments and agencies, in order to part-finance the project, along with local fundraising initiatives. In the first such fundraising venture, Cornafean GFC are now inviting all the farmers in the area to sponsor a calf and rear it on their farms for two years, and to sell it at that stage, and donate the money to the building fund. Regrettably due to the Foot and Mouth crisis it is not possible to call to each herdowner personally to discuss the scheme and seek their support. However, letters will be circluated to each herdowner in the locality in the near future, along with Registration Certificate to enter the scheme . If you wish to participate, please return the completed and signed certificate to any of the following as soon as possible, Seamus Doyle (049) 4337645, Oliver Gormley (049) 4335326, Padraig Cosgrove, (049) 4337094, Kevin Geoghegan (049) 4335219, Paddy Harrington (049) 4335452 or Michael McGibney,(049) 4334425. Additional copies of the registration documents can be obtained from any committee member.
A number of other fundraising schemes will be put in place in the coming months, in order that everyone in the locality will be able to contribute towards the new facility.
