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LOCAL NEWS ARCHIVE - NOVEMBER 2004
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Ciaran O'Reilly - competed in New York Marathon on Sunday 7th November |
Congratulations to Ciaran O’Reilly, Cloncose who recently completed the New York City Marathon in a time of 3 hours 13 minutes. This was Ciaran’s marathon debut and he took up the challenge in order to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Research projects.
Cornafean GAA club recently ran a successful 25 Card Drive to support Ciaran’s fundraising efforts and the winners were as follows: 2 x €100 winners Tony Brady, Shantully and Carmel McDermott, Derrylane; 2 x €50 winners Cormac Geoghegan, Drumkeeran, and Fr Oliver O’Reilly, Milltown; 4 x €25 winners Caroline Bell c/o Lakeland Dairies Bailieboro, Mary Daly c/o Lakeland Dairies, Bailieboro, Sean Fitzpatrick, Hillside Tavern, Killeshandra and Ann Sheridan, Leggykelly, Redhills.
Well done to Ciaran on his achievement in completing his
first marathon. Ciaran is also a keen footballer for Cornafean and he also finds
time within his busy schedule for his promising career as a football referee and
official. In the recent county finals, he had the distinction of acting as
linesman in the minor decider and as fourth official in the senior game on the
same afternoon.
Scór na nOg
All roads lead to Ballyconnell Community Centre on this
Saturday evening for the County Finals of Scór na nÓg 2005. Cornafean will be
represented in the quiz and ballad group competitions and we wish all our
competitors every success on Saturday. No doubt there will be a large turnout of
Cornafean supporters in attendance to cheer on the local competitors and to
enjoy a fantastic night of entertainment for young and old.
The long football season in the locality concluded last Saturday with the defeat of the Cornafean/Killeshandra footballers at the hands of Erne Gaels in a replayed Under-21 Championship game. The game was played in Belturbet. A couple of weeks ago the youthful local side did well to earn a draw against the same opposition but on this occasion the Erne Gaels side held most of the aces and despite a spirited final quarter display by the Cornafean/Killeshandra lads, they were 2-9 to 2-5 short at the final whistle.
The AGM of the local Vintage Tractor Club in Cornafean will
take place in McSeains on this Friday night, 19th November, starting at 9.00pm.
All members are requested to attend and new members are welcome.
Scor
na nOg
There was a large turnout of local people in St Patricks Hall,
Arva on last Friday evening for the opening round the Cavan 2004/5 Scor na nOg
competition.
As was the case in previous years, Cornafean were represented in all disciplines and one and all did themselves and their club proud on the night. The winners of the first round were announced on last Sunday afternoon and the Cornafean quiz and ballag group teams now go forward to the county final which will be held in Ballyconnell on Saturday 27th November.
Last Sunday, the Cornafean footballers were beaten by visitors Swanlinbar by 1-9 to 0-10 in the final round of the 2004 Cathal Brady Division 2 league. Cornafean’s defeat means that they are relegated to the Division 3 league for 2005.
The locals’ defeat on Sunday was an especially galling one for their supporters given that the team dominated proceedings for much of the game but failed to reflect their dominance on the scoreboard. In the end, a second-half penalty goal and a couple of late points were enough for an otherwise embattled Swanlinbar to take the league points.
In the light of the club’s recent demotion from Intermediate to Junior level for championship football, this latest setback is one that the club could have done without and is especially disappointing given the welcome injection of fresh talent into the senior panel from juvenile and minor ranks in the past couple of years. It is now up to everyone involved in the club to reflect carefully on the reasons for the club’s underperformance in recent seasons and to work together to ensure a regeneration of the club’s fortunes on the field of play in 2005 and beyond.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Blood Donation Clinic Service are holding a Blood Donation Clinic in St Brigid’s Community Centre, Loch Gowna on next Monday and Tuesday evenings, 22nd & 23rd November from 4.30pm to 8.30pm each evening. It is important that we remember that many patients in hospitals need our blood and this need never ceases. Further information can be obtained from Mr. Alan Sloane, Loch Gowna, tel 043 83101.
Cornafean GAA club are planning to have another Stars in their Eyes show this Christmas and the show will take place on Monday 27th December. This event is keenly awaited especially after the wonderful success the show enjoyed last year. Practising is already underway and a bumper show is guaranteed. Anyone interested in taking part in this year’s show can contact the following: Ciaran Weir (086) 0753309 & (049) 4337269 or Padraig Cosgrove (087) 6482892 or (049) 4337094.
Official
Opening of Recreation Centre
Last Friday evening, 5th November, was a very proud and
historic occasion for the people of Cornafean when the new Cornafean Recreation
Centre was officially opened by GAA County Board Chairman George Cartwright.
This new facility is located in the grounds of Cornafean GAA club and is an
ideal venue for concerts, meetings and for all indoor sports. The new hall
promises to be an invaluable asset to the people of the area for many years to
come and it will be available to all the various voluntary groups and
organisations in the locality.
A capacity attendance gathered in the new hall on Friday
evening last for the official opening and one and all marvelled at the splendid
facilities within the centre. The MC for the night was Paddy McDermott and the
other speakers included Cornafean GAA club Chairman PJ McGlade and County Board
Chairman George Cartwright. The large attendance included the newly promoted
Minister for State Brendan Smith TD along with local councillors Andrew Boylan,
Winston Bennett and other public, religious and community representatives.
In addressing the gathering, PJ McGlade paid handsome
tribute to all the people who had helped to bring the Recreation Centre project
to fruition including all the tradesmen and businesses who had worked on the
project and to everyone who had organised and contributed to the various
fundraising events that helped bring the Centre to completion. He expressed
special thanks to Kevin Geoghegan, Oliver Gormley, Seamus Laheen and other
committee members who hard worked so hard over a number of years on the project.
Before performing the official opening, George Cartwright
welcomed the occasion as a momentous one for the people of Cornafean. He praised
the local GAA club for providing a facility that was ideal for the future
sporting needs of the locality, remarking that it is now essential for all
sports clubs to have at their
disposal the highest quality premises to allow players to train throughout the
year, especially in the winter months. He
also reflected on the Centre’s potential as a social and community outlet for
all the people of Cornafean and its surrounds. In doing so, he remembered the
various halls that have served the community of Cornafean over the past hundred
years, starting with the old Gaelic League hall that was established in 1908,
the same year that Cornafean GAA club was founded, and later on Arus Fionnain
opposite McSeains and in more recent decades the lounge in McSeains originally
run by Tom McSeain and later his nephew Art.
The new Centre was blessed in an Ecumenical Blessing by Fr
Sean McGoldrick, Fr Harry Bouchier, Rev Cecil Lindsay and Rev. Sandra Lindsay.
George Cartwright declared the Centre officially open by cutting the ceremonial
ribbon at the door of the centre.
There then followed a very entertaining concert with
contributions by Brian & Geraldine McCaffrey, the Cornafean Ceili Group and
other local singers, musicians, dancers and recitation acts, including a
rendition by Sean Masterson of a poem that he had specially composed for the
occasion.
We congratulate Cornafean GAA club on their official opening and look forward to the centre being a hive of activity for young and old in the months and years to come!
Mrs
Christina O’Gara
There was widespread shock and sadness in the locality last weekend
on the death
of Mrs Christina O’Gara (nee Patterson), Cambs, Ballymote Co Sligo and
formerly of Drumambry who died on Saturday last at the North West Hospice,
Sligo. Although she had been in declining health for some time, her untimely
death came as a great shock to her many friends in the locality. A large number
of local people were among the huge numbers who attended the removal of her
remains to St Patrick’s Church Ballyrush on Sunday evening and at her Funeral
Mass on Monday. We express our deepest sympathy to her husband Seamus, daughter
Patricia, sons Brendan and Aiden, mother, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews and
other relatives.
Crucial Game
On Sunday next, Cornafean host Swanlinbar in the final round of the
2004 Cathal Brady Division 2 league in a game that could turn out to be one of
the most crucial matches for the club for some years. Cornafean need to win this
match to have any chance of avoiding relegation to Division 3 for 2005, and if
they do secure victory on Sunday they will be also depending on neighbours
Lacken to defeat Killinkere in their corresponding game also scheduled for
Sunday. The last meeting of Cornafean and
Swanlinbar was in the opening round of the Hotel Kilmore Championship early last
May when Cornafean recorded a narrow victory in an enthralling game. Since then
Swanlinbar have enjoyed much more impressive form and should they win on Sunday
they will qualify for the League semi-finals. Cornafean will need all the
support they can muster on Sunday and we encourage one and all to get behind the
boys in red in this crucial fixture.
A capacity attendance gathered in St Feithlimidh’s Cathedral on last Tuesday evening to honour the Dean of Kilmore, Rev. David Godfrey and his wife Heather on the occasion of their retirement. Since coming to the area seven years ago, the Dean and Mrs Godfrey have each made massive contributions to the locality and assisted a wide range of Church, community and social initiatives in the area, including major restoration works on both the Cathedral itself and on the newly-renovated Church in Ballintemple.. Last Tuesday’s event was organised by the Select Vestries of Kilmore and Ballintemple and featured a wide range of musical entertainment including the popular Cavan Singers, before local Church and community leaders paid tribute and made presentations to David and Heather. After a very enjoyable evening, everyone enjoyed tea and refreshments in the adjacent Hall. We wish David and Heather good health, happiness and every good fortune in their retirement.
On
next Friday evening large numbers of local people will be travelling to St
Patricks Hall, Arva where Cornafean will be taking part in the first round of
this year’s Cavan Scor na nOg competitions. The pre-Christmas Scor na nOg
shows are always among the highlights of the year in the locality and have
always attracted huge interest in Cornafean and indeed many other areas
throughout the county.
The
Cornafean boys and girls have been busy practising for Friday’s first round
for several weeks and no doubt all the Cornafean acts will produce great
performances on this occasion. A bumper package of entertainment is guaranteed
with teams from Belturbet Rory O’Moores, Belturbet Ladies and Drumalee
also taking part. The show starts at 8.00pm in St Patrick’s Hall, Arva,
and the show is likely to attract a capacity attendance
The local Vintage Tractor Club held their 3rd Annual
Tractor Run on Sunday 24th October in ideal weather conditions and the event
attracted a massive turnout of tractors on the day. The tractor convoy travelled
from Cornafean through Killeshandra, Arva and Gowna before returning to
Cornafean where refreshments were provided for everyone courtesy of the
Ballintemple Church Committee, in recognition of the club's recent fundraising
efforts on behalf of the Church Restoration Fund.
Later that evening there was great excitement in McSeains
as the Vintage Tractor Club held their Charity fundraising draw. The winning
ticket, for a 35X Tractor, was drawn by Garda Mike Hogan and the winner was
Josie Tilson, Drumlin, Cavan. The 2nd prize of 200 euro went to Jim Taaffe,
Legga, Moyne and the winner of the 3rd prize was Ivan Byers or Beglieve,
Bailieboro. Following the draw, club chairman Sean Kelly thanked everyone who
helped make the draw a success, with special thanks to Garda Mike Hogan and to
the Ballintemple Church Committee.
On Monday, a large gathering of his friends and neighbours
assembled in Cornafean when Josie Tilson collected his tractor, which was
presented to him by Sean Kelly, who wished Josie many happy years of motoring in
his new tractor. Josie was understandably delighted with his good fortune and
there were joyous celebrations as he returned home via Crossdoney with his new
tractor.
There was deep sadness throughout the entire community on
the recent death of Miss Agnes McKiernan, Cornafean who died in Newtownforbes
Private Nursing Home on Monday 25th October. Agnes lived for almost all her
lifetime with her sister Katie and brother James, who predeceased her last
February. She was widely known as a quiet and pleasant woman. There was a large
attendance at the Removal of her remains to Coronea Church on Tuesday evening of
last week and at her Funeral Mass on Wednesday. We extend our deepest sympathy
to her sisters Mary and Katie and her other relatives.
There was widespread sadness in the locality earlier this
week on the death of Mrs Margaret (Peggy) Griffith, Drumcon, Cornafean and late
of Croghan, Killeshandra who died in Virginia Private Nursing Home on Sunday
last, 31st October. She was predeceased by her husband William. A native of
Drumco, Peggy moved to Croghan on her marriage and in later years following her
husband's death she lived with her brother Tommy in Drumcon. She was a decent,
friendly woman who was held in high esteem by everyone who knew her. In a
strange coincidence, she was born within the same week as her neighbour and
friend Agnes McKiernan and also died within a week of Agnes' death. There was a
large attendance at her Funeral Service in Killeshandra Parish Church on Tuesday
last. We extend our deepest sympathy to her brother Tommy and her other
relatives.
The Cornafean senior footballers were in action on Sunday
last in the Intermediate League in a crucial game away to Kilinkere. After an
exciting game, the locals lost out on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-7. The game was a
much tigher affair than the final score suggests, with Cornafean on top for much
of the hour after a Liam Duignan goal had put them ahead in the early minutes of
the first half. The Reds were on top for much of the first half, at the end of
which they led by 1-5 to 0-7, and also for the third quarter during which they
recorded no less than five wides from scoreable positions, which ultimately
proved their undoing at the end of the game. Unfortunately for the sizeable
local support who travelled to Killinkere for the game, the home side took
control after they scored a goal with around twelve minutes remaining and
Killinkere dominated proceedings thereafter to eventually run out easy winners.
Despite their defeat, Cornafean can take heart from a determined display that on
another day and with a little more luck would surely have yielded the league
points.
Had Cornafean won this game, they would have secured their
place in Division 2 for next year, however their defeat leaves them a single
league point behind Killinkere in the league table with one round of league
games remaining this year. To survive in the Intermediate grade of league
football, Cornafean must now beat Swanlinbar in their final game, and depend on
neighbours and newly-crowned Intermediate champions Lacken to defeat Killinkere
in their corresponding fixture.
