Friends of Sligo Football
The curtain is slowly coming down on the 2010 football championship season with most of the club
finals played out in recent weeks. The senior final comprised the usual suspects Eastern Harps
and Tourlestrane, who have dominated finals in the last decade or more. This is testament to the
commitment of players and mentors over the years, particularly at under age level and a healthy
interest by volunteers at all aspects within the club and Tourlestrane epitomises this with a pitch they
can be proud of and a fund raising programme to ensure the club is well organised to provide the
best facilities for its players and supporters. Similarly Eastern Harps have worked diligently to provide
the facilities and ensure their teams are well prepared. Turning to the final it was an enjoyable game
with some fine end to end movements by each side. Looking at the programme before the game one
could not but be impressed, not only by the strength of the Tourlestrane team but also by its bench.
In the early part of the game Tourlestrane looked the most dangerous and went into the lead but a
double injury to Eamonn Haran and captain David Durkin, who were both playing extremely well had a
significant effect on them. One must feel very sorry for both in particular , David , who was captain and
enjoying a great season and was in line to win a record making 7th Championship with his 2 friends
Eamonn O’Hara and Gerry McGowan. David has been a great servant to club and county over the last
17 years and we wish both of them a speedy recovery. The second half Eastern Harps upped their
game significantly and began to dominate around midfield with Kevin Gallagher, Michael Doddy and
John Rafferty coming to the fore and Ross Donovan and Paul McGovern steadying the ship at the
back and up front, as so often in the past, Paul Taylor was on song sending over 9 points to confirm
his class as one of the greatest. For nearly 20 years we have witnessed this unassuming man deliver
on the big stage and clearly winning this final meant a lot to him and his colleagues confirming that
even for a star like Paul Taylor your club means the most. We wish them best of luck in the Connaught
club championship.
In the semi final the same day we were presented with an unusual but welcome change with St
Farnan’s pitted against Mullinabreena / Coolaney and Farnans must have felt confident when they
went 4 points up in the second half but the winners put in a superb effort to score 7 unanswered points
and take the spoils. The winners will take great heart from this and this great club has had not much
success in recent years but they now appear to have a good under age structure having already had
success at under 16 level and they now have one of the highest representation at County under age
level. In 1975 this club had the highest representation on the Sligo panel, which won the Connaught
championship. It is good to see the work of Eamonn Gorman and other club members gain fruition
and no doubt they look forward to success at senior level and some of these players may emulate the
success of great players like John Brennan and Nace O’Dowd. Of course it has also been a good year
for the local ladies teams winning the championship and runners up at under age level.
Congratulations Easkey on winning the Intermediate championship. It is good to see another team
from West Sligo back in the senior championship and that is where we want to see players like Noel
McGuire and Eamonn Mullen etc display their talents. Well done also to Shamrock Gaels on winning
the B Minor title.
We extend sympathy to the family of Dr Sean Flannery, Tubbercurry , who died recently. Dr. Sean
was a highly respected member of the community as evidenced by the dignified Guard of Honour by
members of the local drama festival, local gun and golf clubs at his funeral. He and his wife Rita have
done sterling work in so many community initiatives in the area over many years.
We also extend sympathy to the family of Jim McDonnell, who died recently at a relatively young age.
Jim was a real sports man, who excelled at many different sports and he was always willing to offer
his service in the promotion of these sports and he will be sadly missed by all, who knew him.
Congratulations to Castleconnor native, Michael Naughton, who managed Donegal ladies to All
Ireland Intermediate success.
Congratulations to Michael Duffy, Enniscrone, on his selection as referee in the All Ireland minor
final, following in the footsteps of his brother Marty, who refereed the senior final in 2009 and to John
Niland, Curry who was referee on ladies final day in Croke Park recently.
Friends of Sligo Football
The curtain is slowly coming down on the 2010 football championship season with most of the club
finals played out in recent weeks. The senior final comprised the usual suspects Eastern Harps
and Tourlestrane, who have dominated finals in the last decade or more. This is testament to the
commitment of players and mentors over the years, particularly at under age level and a healthy
interest by volunteers at all aspects within the club and Tourlestrane epitomises this with a pitch they
can be proud of and a fund raising programme to ensure the club is well organised to provide the
best facilities for its players and supporters. Similarly Eastern Harps have worked diligently to provide
the facilities and ensure their teams are well prepared. Turning to the final it was an enjoyable game
with some fine end to end movements by each side. Looking at the programme before the game one
could not but be impressed, not only by the strength of the Tourlestrane team but also by its bench.
In the early part of the game Tourlestrane looked the most dangerous and went into the lead but a
double injury to Eamonn Haran and captain David Durkin, who were both playing extremely well had a
significant effect on them. One must feel very sorry for both in particular , David , who was captain and
enjoying a great season and was in line to win a record making 7th Championship with his 2 friends
Eamonn O’Hara and Gerry McGowan. David has been a great servant to club and county over the last
17 years and we wish both of them a speedy recovery. The second half Eastern Harps upped their
game significantly and began to dominate around midfield with Kevin Gallagher, Michael Doddy and
John Rafferty coming to the fore and Ross Donovan and Paul McGovern steadying the ship at the
back and up front, as so often in the past, Paul Taylor was on song sending over 9 points to confirm
his class as one of the greatest. For nearly 20 years we have witnessed this unassuming man deliver
on the big stage and clearly winning this final meant a lot to him and his colleagues confirming that
even for a star like Paul Taylor your club means the most. We wish them best of luck in the Connaught
club championship.
In the semi final the same day we were presented with an unusual but welcome change with St
Farnan’s pitted against Mullinabreena / Coolaney and Farnans must have felt confident when they
went 4 points up in the second half but the winners put in a superb effort to score 7 unanswered points
and take the spoils. The winners will take great heart from this and this great club has had not much
success in recent years but they now appear to have a good under age structure having already had
success at under 16 level and they now have one of the highest representation at County under age
level. In 1975 this club had the highest representation on the Sligo panel, which won the Connaught
championship. It is good to see the work of Eamonn Gorman and other club members gain fruition
and no doubt they look forward to success at senior level and some of these players may emulate the
success of great players like John Brennan and Nace O’Dowd. Of course it has also been a good year
for the local ladies teams winning the championship and runners up at under age level.
Congratulations Easkey on winning the Intermediate championship. It is good to see another team
from West Sligo back in the senior championship and that is where we want to see players like Noel
McGuire and Eamonn Mullen etc display their talents. Well done also to Shamrock Gaels on winning
the B Minor title.
We extend sympathy to the family of Dr Sean Flannery, Tubbercurry , who died recently. Dr. Sean
was a highly respected member of the community as evidenced by the dignified Guard of Honour by
members of the local drama festival, local gun and golf clubs at his funeral. He and his wife Rita have
done sterling work in so many community initiatives in the area over many years.
We also extend sympathy to the family of Jim McDonnell, who died recently at a relatively young age.
Jim was a real sports man, who excelled at many different sports and he was always willing to offer
his service in the promotion of these sports and he will be sadly missed by all, who knew him.
Congratulations to Castleconnor native, Michael Naughton, who managed Donegal ladies to All
Ireland Intermediate success.
Congratulations to Michael Duffy, Enniscrone, on his selection as referee in the All Ireland minor
final, following in the footsteps of his brother Marty, who refereed the senior final in 2009 and to John
Niland, Curry who was referee on ladies final day in Croke Park recently.