Sligo Ladies - The Saints go marching on!!

Feile Shligigh 2009
For the second year running the County will be represented in Feile by Saints. Last year it was the turn of Sligo Town outfit St Mary’s under the guidance of one Kevin O’Grady who were victorious. This year the Cup has returned to the Country with St Michael’s taking the honours.
On Saturday last the Feile na nOg Championship was on, at various venues around the County. This year’s winners will be traveling to the County of Kildare from Friday – Sunday 3rd – 5th July 2009. Due to the weather this year’s event went ahead in one day as opposed to the traditional two. Events got under way in West Sligo with St Farnan’s hosting both Eoghan Rua and defending Champions St Mary’s. In the opening game in Templeboy the hosts were up against their West Division neighbours from Eoghan Rua. Victory was to go the way of the visitors on a 1 – 5 to 1 – 4 scoreline. The next game there was to be a meeting between the 2 visiting teams Eoghan Rua and defending champions St Mary’s. Last year St Mary’s reached the National Semi Finals going down to the eventual winners of their Division. This game was to end in a Draw at 0 – 3 for Eoghan Rua and 1 – 0 for St Mary’s. So on to the third game at the West Sligo venue and a game of Interest. As things stood St Farnan’s were out of Feile and unless St Mary’s were to improve they too would be making their exit. In the dying minutes of the game the Champions were to strike for 2 goals to see them through to the semi finals with a 3 – 0 to 0 – 2 victory. Thanks to the St Farnan’s Club for hosting the event, Referee Thomas Keane and Coordinator Ann Ruane for keeping Information up to date.
Across the Ox Mountains in South Sligo both Curry and Tubbercurry were hosting Groups. In Curry the home side (winners in ’01, ’02 & ’03) prevailed defeating Tourlestrane on a 2 – 6 to 1 – 0 scoreline. On the day the numbers didn’t add up for Ballymote but the Club is to be complemented for their efforts in traveling. Thanks to the Cury Club for their grounds, Referee Saeline Reynolds and to both Ann Marie Perry and Claire Howley for their updates. The Club is also to be complemented for the refreshments on the Day. Down the road in Tubbercurry two groups were being decided. The homeside were in action in the opening game of the day at the venue going under to St Nathy’s (winners in ’05) 2 – 2 to 0 – 2. The second game witnessed a meeting of Owenmore Gaels and St Nathy’s with the Gaels running out comfortable winners. In the third game of the group Owenmore Gaels defeated CT 4 – 4 to 1 – 1 to win the group and qualify to play St Mary’s in the semi final. Moylough’s Malachy Maher was the referee in charge of these games. The other group was a straight clash of Eastern Harps (winners in ’04 & ’06) and St Michael’s. Victory was to go to St Michael’s by 2 – 7 to 1 – 3.
So to the semi finals, first up was Curry and St Michael’s with the girls from Ballintogher coming out on top on a scoreline of 1 – 2 to 0 – 1. The result of this game was to signal mixed fortunes as it was a first Final appearance for St Michael’s in a Feile Final. For Curry it was the first time since 2005 that they failed to make a Feile Final. The other semi final was to see the era of St Mary’s as Feile Champions come to end as Owenmore Gaels defeated them by 0 – 8 to 1 – 1. The Final was to witness 2 new Clubs contesting as both St Michael’s and Owenmore Gaels were appearing in their first decider.
In a game that proved to be a cracker with end to end action, St Michael’s entered the half time kuppa a point to the good 0 – 2 to 0 – 1. Early in the second half Owenmore Gaels drew level and one felt that they would now go on and win the crown. St Michael’s had other ideas and tagged on two more points to insure the Title was heading for Ballintogher on a 0 – 4 to 0 – 2 scoreline. For St Michaels they now appear to be making a habit of winning on the May bank holiday weekend. Last year the 2007 Co U – 16A Championship title made its way to them, this year it’s the Feile Title. Thanks to Tubbercurry for hosting both the Groups stages and the Final stages, Referees Liam McDonagh – who was asked at the 11th hour due to a very late withdrawal of a certain other Referee – and Saeline Reynolds for taking charge of the remaining 4 games in Tubbercurry.
St Michael’s now go forward to represent the County in Feile Peil na nOg from Friday – Sunday 3rd – 5th July 2009 in Co Kildare. Congratulations to the Club, Girls and their mentors Marie Clancy, Siobhan Scanlon and Breege Boles on this latest success. After the Final, the Feile Cup was presented to St Michael’s winning Captains – their Co Duo – by Martin Seery on behalf of the Ladies Board.

County 2009
All 3 County underage teams will be in Action this coming week with the U – 16’s away to Roscommon on Wednesday 6th May, Minors away to Mayo on Thursday 8th May and the U-14 game took place yesterday evening. All venues will be confirmed later in the week.

Club 2009
A number of Club games will go ahead this coming week. The U – 12 Leagues will go ahead on this Thursday evening with Round 2 down for decision. The full list of U – 12 Fixtures include Eastern Harps v St Nathy’s, St Farnan’s v Curry, Owenmore Gaels v Geevagh. Drumcliff/Rosses Point v St Mary’s, Ballymote v Calry/St Joseph’s, Eoghan Rua v St Michael’s, St John’s v Cloonacool/Tubbercurry, St Patrick’s v Coolera, Tourlestrane a bye. All games are penciled in for 7pm.
The Senior and Junior Leagues have a break this weekend but on Saturday 16th May Round 5 of the Leagues will go ahead at 7pm. The Change comes about as the County Junior team is due to play Roscommon in the Connacht Junior Competition on the Sunday. The list of Fixtures includes St Nathy’s v Eastern Harps, Eoghan Rua v Tourlestrane, Curry v Geevagh.
The U – 16 League semi finals go ahead on this Saturday evening in the A, B, C & D. in the A Curry play at home to Eastern Harps and St Mary’s play at home to C/T. The B will see Owenmore Gaels play Tourlestrane and Geevagh or St Farnan’s who play earlier this week play St Michael’s. In C St Nathy’s will play Geevagh or St Farnan’s who play earlier this week. St Pat’s playing Eoghan Rua. There will only be 1 semi final in the D with Shamrock Gaels up against Coolera with Drumcliffe through to the Final as only 3 teams are involved. All games are down for 7pm, First team named at home. Clubs should insure that the facilities are available otherwise the game switches to their opponents grounds and all League semi finals will have Extra Time if level at Normal Time.