Dry January of sporting action
Johnny and Laura Mannion at the St. Ciaran's LGFA Dinner Dance in the Abbey Hotel on Friday night. Picture: Michelle Hughes-Walsh
At the end of every year, I’m happy season to down tools for the festive period — content in the knowledge that by the time early January rolls around, I’m back on the road.
For the past few years, we have been spoiled with Roscommon teams involved in the business end of both the All-Ireland senior and intermediate club football championships. A trip to the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome for a FBD League has been never too far down the menu.
But, at a time of year when a lot of people opt for a dry January after the Christmas madness, that’s what we now have on the sporting front.
I’ll be sitting idly by until the last weekend of the month when three Roscommon teams finally pick up the baton for 2025. Only at that stage will all hell break loose for the start of the national leagues in the various codes.
For the men’s football teams all around the country, they’re trying to get used of the new playing rules that will come into play.
So enjoy the break until I see you all in Dr. Hyde Park against Down. In the meantime, get down to learning those new rules because chaos and confusion will not be far away!
It’s hard to imagine that the last time I tempted readers with a teaser was last year. No doubt, a lot of mince pies have been consumed since then.
Can you name the club with the most consecutive All-Ireland senior club titles? It was the good ladies of Ballymacarberry of Waterford who won seven All-Ireland senior ladies’ club titles in succession between 1989 and 1995.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to sample a festive treat. Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Mary Gifillan, Kilmore; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Pat, Sligo; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also tucked into a box of Roses.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the only team to have won both the All-Ireland senior club football and hurling titles?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086-8356227. This week’s teaser came from Limerick.
Unfortunately, this Christmas and New Year feels like a distant memory — a massive blur for the Hegarty family.
Mom lost a beloved daughter, her five siblings said goodbye to a wonderful sister, and nieces and nephews lost an inspirational aunt.
My sister, Mary Patricia, who was also a remarkable sister-in-law, went to her eternal home in the early hours on Sunday morning, December 29th, at 3.30 a.m. surrounded by her family and dedicated staff of the Pope John Paul Centre.
Mary Patricia was 56 years of age. She spent the last 41 years of her life in the care of the Pope John Paul Centre in Ballybane, Galway.
Mary Patricia lived a great life under their devoted care. We always said that Mary had two homes — a holiday home in Castleruby, Tulsk, for breaks and visits, and her real home in the Pope John Paul Centre.
A close family bereavement at any time of the year is hard but, over the festive period, grief seems harder to comprehend when you lose a loved one.
Over the new few weeks and months, life will be tough, particularly for Mom (Maureen) who will dearly miss her weekly trips to Galway. But the extraordinary outpouring of sympathy, messages of condolences, kindness and support from family relatives, brilliant neighbours, friends and the wider community will ease the pain and fuel the memory of a surreal send-off for Mary Patricia, which will stay with the Hegarty family forever.
A huge thanks to Canon Liam Devine for his faith, words of wisdom, calmness, and beautiful and special Funeral Mass for Mary. The professionalism and empathy of funeral undertaker, Niall Flanagan, alongside the glorious singing from Jimmy and Laura Kearney ensured Mary Patricia’s final journey was simple but beautiful on New Year’s Day.
We take life for granted. We give out when our favourite team lose a match or don’t play well. But Mary Patricia lived her life to the full, oblivious to the small things we complain about on a daily basis.
May Mary Patricia Rest In Peace.
While the axe has fallen on RTÉ’s Operation Transformation, the good news on the home front is that the hugely popular Roscommon Community Challenge (run or walk) is back for another eight-week stint.
Training will commence on Monday. January 13th. Participants will meet twice a week on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. in Roscommon Community Sports Park.
The Roscommon Community Challenge has become a staple diet for those wishing to shake off the winter blues by walking, jogging or running around Roscommon Town. This year, proceeds will go to Roscommon Special Olympics Club and Roscommon Community Sports Park.
For the eight weeks, the cost is €30 for adults and €10 for participants aged 12 and over. The eight-week fitness training programme, which is led by fully-qualified instructors under the supervision of Noel Feely and the Roscommon Sport Partnership staff, is designed to prepare participants for the big 5k or 8k event on Friday, March 7th, at 8 p.m..
Jacqui McCormack is, once again, the driving force behind this wonderful initiative, which has grown from little acorns into big oaks. Now is your chance to sign up online with eventbrite (see the Roscommon Community Challenge 2025 Facebook page) for the programme, culminating in the bells and whistles evening of March 7th, which costs €25 for adults and €10 for participants aged 12 and over.
What a way to start the New Year by getting fit, having the craic, and making new friends along the way.
All-Ireland SFC: Tyrone
Connacht SFC: Galway
Ulster SFC: Donegal
Leinster SFC: Dublin
Munster SFC: Kerry
All-Ireland Club SFC: Cuala
Tailteann Cup: Sligo
All-Ireland SHC: Cork
Munster SHC: Limerick
Leinster SHC: Kilkenny
All-Ireland Club SHC: Na Fianna
Joe McDonagh Cup: Carlow
Christy Ring Cup: Derry
Nickey Rackard Cup: Mayo
Roscommon SFC: Pádraig Pearses
Roscommon IFC: Tulsk
Roscommon JFC: St. Croan’s
Roscommon SHC: Four Roads
Premier League: Liverpool
FA Cup: Manchester City
Champions League: Barcelona
LOI Premier Division: St. Patrick’s Athletic
FAI Cup: Galway United
RDFL Premier Division: Moore United
RDFL Challenge Cup: Castlerea Celtic
Rugby Six Nations: Ireland Champions Cup: Toulouse
Star pupil: Jordan Flynn — the Mayo star was in brilliant form for his club Crossmolina in their All-Ireland IFC semi-final win over Caragh.
Crucial win for: Newcastle United over Spurs as the Magpies made it six Premier League wins in a row, chasing down a top four Champions League place with momentum firmly behind them.
Much do better: Chelsea, with only one point from nine in their last three games, have seen their Premier League dream nosedive before the Christmas decorations have been taken down.
Spot of bother: Another cruel blow for Roscommon intermediate ladies’ footballer, Jenny Higgins, — the Clann na nGael player has suffered her second ACL knee injury, and is out of action for the 2025 season.
Weekend highlight: Luke Littler winning the World Darts Championship was a magical start to the New Year, demonstrating that youth has no fear.
What a cracker: Errigal Ciaran and Dr. Crokes in the All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final ensures that there are plenty of reasons to snuggle up on the couch and be entertained next Saturday.
“When you focus on problems you will have more problems. When you focus on possibilities you’ll have more opportunities.”
All-Ireland intermediate football finalists, Crossmolina and Ballinderry, won successive All-Ireland senior club titles in 2001and 2002 respectively. Both clubs defeated Nemo Rangers in those two finals.
Wishing all Roscommon Herald readers a very happy and peaceful New Year. Remember, there are loads of sporting memories waiting to be made over the next 12 months.
