Swinford GAA Notes – 10th April 2015
Under 14 League
The team were defeated by Aghamore on Thursday 2nd April on a scoreline of 12-13 to 4-14 but the team worked very hard and the final score does not reflect the effort they put in. It is only a matter of time until their luck will change.
Under 16 League
The team started their season off with a win in Ballycastle on Tuesday 7th April beating Naomh Padraig on a scoreline of 6-9 to 8-7. Well done to all.
50/50 Draw
This week’s Swinford GAA 50/50 Draw was held in Moore’s on Tuesday 7th April and Gordon Carter of Market Street but currently based in Canada won €883.
Gordon purchased his ticket online through the Swinford GAA Store where tickets can be purchased in bundles of 10 / 20 / 52 weeks.
Draw envelopes are also available in most local business premises where you can now buy 3 envelopes for €5. Your support for the draw is greatly appreciated.
The next Swinford GAA 50/50 Draw will be held in Julian’s on Tuesday 14th April.
Upcoming Swinford GAA Fixtures:
Under 16 League
Friday 10th April at 6:30pm Swinford v Achill in Robert McCallion Memorial Park
Senior League Division 1C
Saturday 11th April at 6pm Swinford v Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin in Robert McCallion Memorial Park
Minor League
Sunday 12th April at 12noon Ballinrobe v Swinford in Ballinrobe
Senior League Division 1E
Sunday 12th April at 2pm Swinford v Shrule Glencorrib in Robert McCallion Memorial Park
Minor League
Tuesday 14th April at 7:30pm Swinford v Ballyhaunis in Robert McCallion Memorial Park
Sunday 19th April at 12noon Swinford v Mayo Gaels in Robert McCallion Memorial Park
Under 14 League
Thursday 16th April Claremorris v Swinford in Claremorris
Senior League Division 1C
Saturday 18th April at 6pm Ballintubber v Swinford in Ballintubber
Senior League Division 1E
Sunday 19th April at 2pm Aghamore v Swinford in Aghamore
Any changes will be posted on Swinford GAA’s Website, Facebook and Twitter
Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Night
Sunday 5th April saw the Swinford GAA Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Night take place in the Gateway Hotel. The night honoured the clubs achievements in 2014 including winning the East Mayo Minor B Championship and the County Junior B Championship.
Our Chairman Shane Campbell welcomed everyone to the event and in between courses the Minor Team of 2014 were presented with their medals by Noel Barry and Eamon Molloy. Noel gave a brief summary of the team’s year including reaching the League Final and winning the East Mayo B Championship. The 2014 team manager Michael Smyth was thanked in his absence as he is currently on holidays.
Later the Junior Team were honoured and Michael Devaney outlined the teams achievements in the league and championship. Aiden McLoughlin read out a letter from the 2014 Manager Alan Kenendy who unfortunately could not be with us as he is working in Australia. The County Championship medals were presented to the team by Michael and team captain Andy McNulty.
After the meal the club honoured all club members who played for the County in 2014. These were Joshua Smith, James Devaney and Johnny Burke.
A special award was made to Lorraine Kelly, the secretary of the finance committee for all her hard work over the past 18 months.
It then came to honour the various Team Players of the Year. The Minor Player of the Year award was shared by James Devaney and Rory Smith. Unfortunately Rory was unable to attend as he was playing the Quigley Cup Final the following afternoon. Noel Barry did the honours of presenting the award. The Junior Player of the Year was awarded to Sean Brady who unfortunately was unable to attend. The Senior Player of the Year was presented by Billy McNicholas, in the absence of the team management, to our club captain Eoin Gallagher. All were very worthy recipients of their respective awards and represented the club with distinction.
The 2014 Hall Of Fame was presented to Maurice O’Connell who represented Swinford on the Mayo Minor Team in the 1940’s and played for the club for many years. The Hall Of Fame Plaque was presented to his son Eoghan O’Connell in Maurice’s absence.
The 2014 Club Man of the Year was presented to the club PRO Douglas Kelly by Club Chairman Shane Campbell.
After all the presentations and an excellent meal, we were entertained by a very good band called Fraggle Rock, who played great tunes for a couple of hours and those that stayed for the music had a great few hours dancing the night away.
Even though there was a small attendance everyone who came had a very enjoyable evening. Thanks have to go to the members of the social committee, Rita Campbell, Billy McNicholas and Francie McNicholas. A very special thanks to Cathal Kelly and the staff of the Gateway for hosting a great night as always.
If anybody wants photographs of the evening please contact Alan Johnson in Swinford Photography.
Coaching Seminar
Swinford GAA in conjunction with SAQ Ireland is hosting a coaching course with Jim Kilty.
Jim is one of Ireland’s foremost athletics trainers having being Irish coach for the Seoul and Atlanta Olympics. He has been involved with a number of successful GAA teams, most notably the All Ireland winning Tipperary hurling team in 2001 among others. He has also been involved in coaching provincial title winning football teams and a National League title with Mayo.
The course takes place in Swinford on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April 2015.
Phase 1 will take place in the Gateway Hotel from 7pm until 10pm on the Friday night and it is a seminar entitled “Developing speed in the adult player through conditioning coaching”. Jim will also give a general talk on his experiences followed by a Q&A session.
Phase 2 takes place at the amenity centre from 10am until 4pm on the Saturday and it is a certified SAQ course entitled “Coaching skill, movement and function to 6-12 year olds”. It is an indoor/outdoor course so appropriate attire is advised.
Places are limited and cost €50 per attendee.
(There is no charge for Swinford GAA coaches)
Please refer to the SAQ website for further course details.
Contact Brian Galvin on 086 3265911 or email briang.123@icloud.com for reservation details.
Topaz Cash For Clubs
Topaz are running a promotion for all clubs at the moment giving the opportunity to win thousands of euro for the club. You can pick up a card and begin to collect stamps at Gavaghan’s Mace & Topaz. The Swinford GAA Club registration code is 10431. The Cash For Clubs initiative runs until Sunday 10th May 2015 and you can find out more about it here.
Club Development Draw 2015
Swinford GAA Club has launched their club draw for 2015. The annual subscription remains at €150. The club draw is again structured this year to ensure each subscriber is getting value for their money and you will be entitled to the following for your €150 investment in the club;
1. Club Membership – €20
2. Entry to Swinford GAA Home League games
3. County Board ticket – €100, which has a prize fund of €90,000 and
4. An entitlement to purchase an All-Ireland Senior Football Final ticket should Mayo reach the final in 2015.
The officers of the club have decided to restrict the numbers in the draw this year to 130 people in order to limit the ticket demands placed on it should Mayo reach the All Ireland Final in 2015.
Please contact any club officer as soon as possible if you are interested in purchasing a ticket as we expect to sell the allocation within a couple of weeks.
