Let us sing about the Fairytale of Castlerea
The St. Croan's team that reached the 2015 All-Ireland IFC final at Croke Park, kickstarting an excellent run for Roscommon clubs at this level. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Grealy
How appropriate that a few days before Shane McGowan passed away, that Castlerea St. Kevin’s had their own fairytale ending? Their Connacht IFC final win in dramatic circumstances crowned one of the most unexpected success stories of the GAA championship season.
The festive period will be a joyous one in the West Roscommon town, as they have an All-Ireland semi-final in early January to look forward to against the Munster champions. This will either be Cill na Martra of Cork or Mungret St. Paul’s of Limerick, who meet on Sunday in Mallow.
Dara Bruen has built his side on defensive solidity, with only one goal conceded in eight games. During their Connacht championship games against Easkey and Monivea-Abbey they poached two goals each, which meant once they kept a clean sheet, the opposition had to score seven points to overhaul Castlerea’s advantage. It proved to be a mountain that neither team was able to climb.
The general feeling and perception among supporters and pundits in Roscommon GAA circles is that the local intermediate championship lacks quality, but over the past three years the Roscommon club champions have won two Connacht titles; St. Faithleach’s in 2021 and Castlerea last Saturday week.
St. Dominic’s lost a very close and competitive final to a classy Dunmore side a year ago, while back in 2017, Michael Glaveys cracked the provincial code. Fuerty were so unlucky in 2018 to lose the Connacht decider to An Spidéal after extra-time, and it was St Croan’s who kick-started a revival for Roscommon clubs at intermediate level by reaching the All-Ireland final in 2014.
Overall the IFC grade paints a pretty picture and no doubt Éire Óg will wonder what might have been if they had managed to finish strongly when they held the edge against Castlerea St. Kevin’s in the county final. We will never know if Pat Doory’s men would have achieved what their neighbours have.
Over the past week, as we reflected on Castlerea’s wonderful achievement, a few thoughts came to mind about the club and the town itself, which has a history of producing great teams, players and wonderful sporting people in so many codes.
Immediately on hearing the news of Shane McGowan’s death, ‘Fairytale of New York’ hit me and a suitable heading for my weekly column had been born, based on the ‘Fairytale of Castlerea’.
The trick now is for the musical talents of Jimmy Kearney, Johnny Carroll, John Staunton or Bill Haugh to pen the words of another Fairytale song to honour the incredible achievement of a bunch of young men who have become heroes and household names overnight.
When I think of Castlerea, December 8th, always comes to mind, as it was one of the best days of the year as a young kid growing up. Even though we came from Kilmurry, Castlerea was our local shopping town and the place where we went to secondary school. The country folk would always hit the town on December 8th to do the majority of their Christmas shopping. It was a special day with music on the square, shops packed with bargains and the buzz on the streets was incredible. That was in the early 80s, and while times have changed, with bigger cities and online shopping now the norm, those were special times.
While Tulsk were always rivals to Castlerea St. Kevin’s on the playing fields, to at least half the Tulsk parish, Castlerea was their local. To this day Anthony Cahill’s SuperValu is the only shop on the planet for my mother Maureen. The craic this week was in full flow, especially fruit and veg man Gerry Lyons, who was like someone that won the lotto.
Castlerea’s Connacht glory made me reminisce about times past. Who knows, Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Tulsk could end up in the same SFC group in 2024, and if so, why not throw Western Gaels into the same pot to stoke the fires!
For now, Castlerea St. Kevin’s have shortened the winter and will bring in the New Year with a bang. What is rare is wonderful, as another fairytale has taken place.
The end-of-season managerial merry-go-round in Roscommon has begun, with a host of clubs seeking new managers for 2024. Frankie Dolan has stepped away from Roscommon Gaels after two years in the hot seat; two seasons which brought two championship semi-final defeats to Strokestown and St. Brigid’s, as well as glory in the O’Rourke Cup following their victory over Oran in this year’s final.
One of the success stories in recent years has been the revival in St. Dominic’s, where Tomás Gilleran, after four years in charge, has vacated his seat. After losing two County IFC finals in succession in 2020 and 2021, the Athlone Community College teacher held firm and was rewarded by winning the championship in 2022. They followed that up by maintaining their senior status this season with a depleted panel, and gave Pádraig Pearses the fright of their lives in the final group game. This only underlined how far Gilleran had brought the St. John’s parish side.
John Rogers, who masterminded Strokestown’s incredible Fahey Cup journey in 2022, has decided to let someone else have the opportunity to bring the Black and Amber back up, after their surprise relegation to Intermediate football. After only one year at the helm former Leitrim All-Star full-back Seamus Quinn has left Elphin after their failed attempt to win the IFC. Their two championship defeats came against both of this year’s county finalists, Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Éire Óg. With neighbours Strokestown down for next season and Éire Óg still hurting, along with Fuerty and St. Croan’s, next season’s intermediate championship will take winning.
The three ‘Ks’ - Kilbride, Kilmore and Kilglass Gaels, are all shopping for new managers, and a few more vacancies are expected over the coming weeks.
After 27 loyal years at club and county administration, Valerie Murray stepped aside as Roscommon County Board secretary at Roscommon’s annual GAA Convention on Monday evening. The popular officer had served her five years at the top table.
Valerie was Michael Glaveys’ secretary for 17 years, leaving her club post to become Roscommon assistant secretary. Then, five years ago, she became the first-ever female secretary of Roscommon County Board. Both at club and county level, Valerie enjoyed some wonderful days on the playing fields but it was her ability at administration level in such a quiet, approachable and efficient manner that marked her out as a person who helped and supported everyone she met.
Valerie has proved that the GAA needs more women at the top table, as they have so much to offer, and bring a different outlook on how things can be done. For now, Valerie will enjoy more free time with her family, but one thing is for certain. If you want to find her, just go to a football match and she will be supporting her children, clad in Ballyhaunis jerseys, or cheering on all Michael Glaveys and Roscommon teams. With her pleasant personality and sharp mind, she will back in the board room again.
During a week of sub-zero temperatures, it took a while for this week’s teaser to thaw out, as our Roscommon Herald readers needed time to get the heat back on. Can you name the first player to win an All-Star football award, whose county didn’t reach the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final that year? It was Peter Canavan of Tyrone in 2002. First to clear the system was QPR, Frenchpark with Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Hugh Lynn, Loughglynn; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Frank Coyne, Ballygar; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Pat, Sligo; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Sean Toolan, Heston; and Michael Kearns, Clapham, all fixing the problem.
Can you name the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup final? Answers by email Willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from London.
Star Pupil: Ben O’Carroll, as the St. Brigid’s star forward produced an outstanding performance scoring 1-7 in his side’s superb victory over Corofin in the Connacht Club SFC final.
Crucial win for: Athleague camogie team, who reached the All-Ireland Junior final after a brilliant win over St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield.
Must do better: Connacht let a famous win over Leinster in the URC slip through their fingers in the last play of the game at home in the Sportsground.
Spot of bother: After a five-nil thumping away to fellow relegation rivals Burnley on Saturday, Sheffield United are in real trouble at the foot of the Premier League table.
Weekend Highlight: Viewers really enjoyed a cracking Leinster club SHC final on Saturday as O’Loughlin Gaels defeated Na Fianna by a point.
What a cracker: The AIB Ulster club SFC final between holders Glen (Derry) and Scotstown of Monaghan ticks all the boxes for us this weekend.
"Never judge the future of a person based on their present situation, because time has the power to change any black coal into a shiny diamond."
No Cork club has won the Munster IFC title since Clyda Rovers in 2013, as it has been dominated by Kerry sides, who has won 15 of the 19 titles on offer since its inception in 2003.
Roscommon Allianz NFL fixtures in order of game schedule: Tyrone (A), Galway (H), Dublin (A), Monaghan (H), Mayo (A), Kerry (H), Derry (A). There are two games away under lights away to Dublin and Mayo, while the Rossies host the Kingdom on St. Patrick's Day.
