08.02.15 | DOIRE V’s CIARRAÍ | 2sportlomo-userupload.s3.amazonaws.com/uploaded/... · A Chairde,...

08.02.15 | DOIRE V’s CIARRAÍ | 2pm

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A l l i a n z F o o t b a l l L e a g u e 2 0 1 5 | R o u n d 2 | P a i r c n a g C e i l t e a c h , D h o i r e

A Chairde,It’s an honour and pleasure

as Derry County Chairperson to welcome you all here to Celtic Park for our first home Allianz Football League game of 2015. I want to especially welcome all those who have travelled the long distance from Kerry to be with us, and to wish you a safe and pleasant return journey.

Today is a special occasion as it marks the first appearance of a Kerry senior football team in Celtic Park. Anyone who knows anything about Gaelic football knows of the rich tradition of Kerry teams throughout history, and as current All-Ireland champions, that tradition continues on to this day.

We have enjoyed many memorable clashes with the men from ‘The Kingdom’ throughout the years at all levels. Once such occasion happened 50 years ago this year when the Derry minor team of 1965, led by Bellaghy’s Tommy Diamond, captured the county’s first All-Ireland final title with a four point win over the green and gold.

Many of those players went on to become household names throughout our county and also nationally, and provided inspiration for future generations.

Our rich heritage in Gaelic football is something that we will work very hard to maintain and take forward over the coming years. Rest assured that we will leave no stone

unturned in providing the support needed to help our players achieve their potential. I want to wish all the lads who will wear the red and white jerseys the very best of luck throughout 2015. We are very proud of them and of the effort that they give representing their clubs and county.

I want to thank our sponsors Specialist Joinery Group for their continued support of Derry GAA. We are fortunate to have the backing of such a proud and successful family and community orientated company who are also a major player nationally and internationally. I want to wish John Bosco O’Hagan and all his staff best of luck for the year ahead.

I want to formally welcome and thank Joe McQuillan and his officials for taking charge of today’s game. The recruitment and training of referees is a major focus of the association both locally and at national level. It is something that we are very mindful of in Derry and we appeal to players and supporters alike to act within the GAA code of conduct with respect at all times for our match officials, without whom we would have no games.

I want to acknowledge the continued hard work and dedication of all our stewards and officials here today as well as the Celtic Park management committee who provide a leading service at our premier ground. Celtic Park

plays host to the largest sporting occasions in the North West year after year and will do so again throughout the incoming season.

Finally, I want to ask that you remember the family of Steven Deeney and the players, officers and members of St Aidan’s GAA in Magilligan who suffered a tragic loss only last month. The entire community was shocked and saddened at the news of Steven’s death. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those most affected by his passing.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Is mise le meas

Brian MacGabhannCathaoirleach, Coiste Chontae Dhoire

FÁILTE ON CHATHAOIRLIGH

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ONECLUBONECOUNTYFACEBOOK: officialderrygaa TWITTER: @Doiregaa #CandC WEB: www.derrygaa.ie

Referee: Joe McQuillan (An Chabháin)Stand By: Sean Hurson (Tír Eoghain)Linesman: Shaun McLaughlin (Dún na Gall)Sideline: Stephen Campbell (Tír Eoghain)

Sinne Fianna FáilA tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,buion dár sluaThar toinn do ráinig chugainn,Fé mhóid bheith saor.Sean tír ár sinsir feastaNí fhagfar fé’n tiorán ná fé’n tráilAnocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoilLe guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléarSeo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.

TODAY’S OFFICIALS AMHRÁN NA BHFIANN

3Pairc na gCeilteach, Dhoire Sun 8 Feabhra 2015, 2pm

Following last week’s disappointing result in Ballybofey, today is a huge game for us as we welcome the All-Ireland champions to Celtic Park.

Whilst there are no easy games in Division one, playing the best team in the country in our own back yard is a challenge any player would relish. It’s a great test of our squad and a welcome chance to put in a performance in front of our home supporters.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support all

throughout last year. Once again, I again appeal to you to get behind the team vocally as it really makes a difference. Your support is a key element in such a tough division where every advantage needs to be exploited as we build towards this summer’s championship.

For now though, we look no further than today’s game.

Thanks once again to our sponsors Specialist Joinery Group and to every member of Club Derry. Your support is a vital and valued contribution to our shared aim of

continually progressing the cause of Derry football.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to formally congratulate Éamonn Fitzmaurice and the Kerry squad on winning last year’s All-Ireland senior football championship.

Is mise le meas

Brian McIver

Allianz all Ireland football prog 2014 PQ1.pdf 1 27/01/2014 14:49

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5Pairc na gCeilteach, Dhoire Sun 8 Feabhra 2015, 2pm

BALLERIN followed the road of some fine Derry teams before them who tasted defeat at Croke Park, only to be left ruminating about what might have been.

For Sean O’Connell and his battling Ballerin gave the favourites and Munster cup-holders Austin Stacks, a lot to worry about during an absorbing hour of football in the All-Ireland final of the Inter-Club championship, but alas defeat was the bitter pill Derry men had to suffer.

The question that must be asked at the ‘post mortem’ concerns Derry’s tendency to fade out on two occasions after threatening

to take the title with considerable composure.

The first indication of Ballerin’s worth as finalists was given in the first half when they sprinted away to a 2-5 to 0-3 lead between the 16th and 20th minute.

Then followed a ten-minute spell which was inexplicably weak by comparison and sufficiently low-profile to allow Stacks to get off the floor and back into the game.

The Ballerin ‘slumber’ continued into the second half when Stacks managed to draw level after 12 minutes.

But the red and whites revitalised their effort again, this time against

the wind, to undermine the Kerry men and take that victory look.

But yet again stalemate set in and the efforts lacked impetus. Eventually they bore the full brunt of Mike Sheehy’s punishing right foot. The Kerry star beautifully judged the wind to flight the ball over the bar direct from the sideline for the lead with five minutes left and later hoisted a beautifully kicked 50-yard free to crush Derry hopes.

It was a dour struggle with the Kerry title holders being left in no doubt about the task confronting them. Frankly, they were not expecting such a mighty challenge.

The first half spree by the Derry

THE night before the 1977 All-Ireland club final, Barney O’Kane took a walk down the Jones’ Road with two of his oldest friends and team-mates.

Trying to pass the evening, the tough-as-nails Ballerin half-back left Jury’s Hotel and went a dander through Dublin with Malachy McAfee and the late, great Sean O’Connell. Down the winding streets they walked towards Croke Park.

In the relatively undemonstrative shadows of the old Headquarters, the three men stood.

McAfee and O’Connell were part of a Derry generation that, barring the All-Ireland semi-final of 1958, was unable to find a way past the Kingdom.

The euphoria of their semi-final hammering of Galway champions Killererin was short-lived, overtaken by a wave of angst upon learning that Austin Stacks would be their final opponents.

It was no ordinary Stacks team, mind. Ger Power, the O’Keeffes, John and Ger, and Mikey Sheehy were all Allstars in 1976. Then there was Jack Power and Kerry-based Cork garda Dinny Long. It was no ordinary club team at all.

For 50 minutes, Ballerin led them. Two minutes before half-time, the Derry and Ulster champions led them by seven points. 2-4 to 0-3 ahead, they still believe that they would have won it had it not been for Paudie McCarthy’s fisted goal moments before the interval.

“It was a game that we had the winning of, at our leisure,” recalls O’Kane.

“We were cruising along. Everything was going right. Half-time, we went into the changing room and the men that normally knock spots off us about starting over again, weren’t there. The changing room died on us.”

Gerry Keane, the 19-year-old centre-forward that afternoon, has the same memory of the interval. Despite holding a four-point lead, there wasn’t the belief between the four walls that they could hold on playing into a fierce wind that blew at Hill 16’s face.

“They happened to score a very, very freakish goal just before half-time to bring it back to four points. We did reckon it wasn’t enough to hold on against the breeze.

“Mikey Sheehy just seemed to kick points from 50, 60, 70 yards with the breeze in the second half.

We were still holding on with ten minutes to go but they eventually beat us,” says Keane.

He played directly behind Sean O’Connell, who was by this stage on the edge of the square, aged 39. One of the best ever to pull on the Derry jersey – if not the best – he was the only remaining member of his club’s other Derry Senior Championship winning side in 1957.

BALLERIN had been close on a county title several times in the early 1970s, but the Bellaghy side which blazed a trail in winning the 1972 All-Ireland club title were always in their path.

Things fell together nicely for them in ’76. Former Limavady man Gerry Forrest was motoring well; the legendary Peter Stevenson was marshalling at number six. Malachy McAfee was at the peak of his powers, with he and his younger brother James having joined the club after Aghadowey had folded.

Jimmy Scullin, a former Ahoghill player, had joined after he married into the O’Connell family. And in ball-player Keane, James McAfee and the lethal Cathal Faulkner, they had some of the brightest young forwards around. The last two had

STACKS OF MEMORIES

BATTLING BALLERIN JUST FAIL

the distinction of winning a minor championship in the same year as playing in the All-Ireland Senior club final.

Malachy McAfee, a teacher at St. Columb’s College, decided that running into their championship campaign, they should start to train.

The training made all the difference. Bellaghy had been training for a few years and beating all in front of them. It took others a while to catch up.

They had scares against Kilrea in the Derry semi-final and Enniskillen in the Ulster semi-final. They needed a late Sean O’Connell winner against their local rivals and an even later John Montgomery goal to take their place in the Ulster decider, where they beat Armagh’s Clann na Gael.

For the All-Ireland semi-final, they had to travel to Tuam. They set out on the Saturday and stopped for an overnight stay in Sligo. The hotel there was so cold that night that some of the players slept in their tracksuits.

It didn’t affect them much as Ballerin went out and turned on a dynamic display, destroying Killererin in a 5-9 to 1-4 victory.

Barney O’Kane was widely regarded as Ballerin’s best player on the day of the final, which they eventually lost by 1-13 to 2-7. At the final whistle, he was embraced by the great Ger O’Keeffe.

“I was sitting on the pitch and I’ll be honest, I was crying. He came and he lifted me up and he said ‘I want the jersey belonging to the

best player on the Ballerin team this day’.

“That’s how me and him swapped jerseys. It has been kept in our house since, never damaged, never used.”

He made his senior debut in 1969 and played his last game for the club in 2002, togging out in a reserve game at the age of 52.

Gerry Keane didn’t get quite such a long career. While Barney made his debut at the age of 19, Keane’s first game was as a 14-year-old substitute in a league game with Glen.

Not only was Keane a keen soccer player, but he was a talented one too. Playing for Dungiven Celtic, Terence McMacken got him a transfer to Irish League giants Portadown.

The 23-year-old centre-forward netted 20 goals in his first season in the Irish League. He played two and a half seasons at Portadown, but he became increasingly hampered by a hernia.

By the age of 26, he was riddled with injuries. He went to America. He strapped himself up and played just so he could get work. From there until he played his last game of soccer at 48, for Somerset in the Coleraine and District Saturday Morning League, there was a series of semi-comebacks in both codes, but his career effectively ended in his mid-20s.

“I feel a wee bit bitter towards Gaelic, to be honest. I wasn’t protected. They shouldn’t have

been throwing me in at that age. And then when I couldn’t play, it was ‘ach he’s always injured’.

“I was bitter because I loved football and I didn’t get a long enough career. I was playing for Derry, I was playing in the Irish League, and it was cut short.”

They lost to Kilrea in the first round in 1977 and they never recovered. Malachy McAfee had emigrated to Australia and was a huge loss.

Sean O’Connell retired in ‘78, Peter Stevenson began on his travels around the county, James McAfee and Eamon Moloney disappeared off the scene and the injury troubles began for Gerry Keane.

Some years later, the club commissioned runners-up medals. Mikey Sheehy, scorer of 0-7 in the final, came up to present them.

Both he and O’Kane are of the same mind: the medals were nice to have, but “they’re still runners-up medals.”

But as much as they lost the All-Ireland final of 1977, there are no two ways about it when it comes to looking back on that season as a whole for Barney O’Kane:

“Winning Derry and Ulster was class. I know losing a final was a wile blow, but there’s a lot of people that have retired and never got a county championship medal or an Ulster medal.

“To me, to have those two, there’s nobody as proud of them medals as I am.”

As Ulster champions Slaughtneil prepare to come up against Kerry kingpins Austin Stacks, Cahair O’Kane talks to Barney O’Kane and Gerry Keane about Ballerin’s famous run to the 1977 All-Ireland final, where they narrowly lost to the Munster men…

Austin Stacks 1-13 Ballerin 2-7 By Pat Roche, Irish News, March 14, 1977

Photo Mary K Burke

6 7Allianz Football League 2015 Division 1, Round 2 Pairc na gCeilteach, Dhoire Sun 8 Feabhra 2015, 2pm

Ní raibh Tadhg Mac an Fhailí ach ocht mbliana déag d’aois nuair a d’fhág sé Lios Tuathail agus peil Chiarraí ina dhiaidh le tabhairt faoin pheil ghairmiúil san Astráil. D’imigh sé gan an aisling a thabhairt isteach fíor – áit a ghnóthú ar fhoireann sinsir Chiarraí agus greim a fháil ar bhonn peile Éireann.

Bhí an aisling sa dúchas aige agus cúig cinn acu ag a athair Tim a d’imir le foireann iomráiteach Chiarraí sna seachtóidí agus a bhí mar chaptaen sa bhliain 1979 nuair a tógadh Sam don dara bliain as a chéile san am. D’imigh Tim ar shlí na fírinne agus Tadhg go fóill ag imirt san Astráil agus an aisling beo ina chroí.

Ceithre bliana níos faide anonn bhí Tadhg ar ais in Éirinn agus é ar tí an chéad chuid dá aisling a thabhairt isteach fíor – imirt ar fhoireann sinsir Chiarraí. I Márta na bliana 2009, i gcluiche sraithe in éadan Doire, i bhfad ar shiúl ó Lios Tuathail inar thóg sé a scileanna peile, i mBaile Eachaidh, Contae Dhoire, cuireadh Tadhg chun páirce. Ó Chiarraí go Sydney go Doire agus sa deireadh thiar sna sála ar a athair a bhí sé.

Ó neart go neart a chuaigh sé teacht na craoibhe agus teacht Mhí Meáin an Fhómhair bhí sé ar an ardán is mó sa tír agus an dara cuid dá aisling sa phóca aige. Más tairngreacht a bhí ann agus an phisreogacht beo fá chontae Chiarraí, cuirfear Tommy Walsh chun páirce inniu agus cluiche eile sraithe ag Ciarraí i nDoire!

Tá a dhá oiread bonn ag Tommy cheana ar ndóigh ach is mó na cosúlachtaí. Fathach eile fir, taithí na hAstráile agus athair a d’imir ar an leibhéal is airde le Ciarraí. Bhain a athair Seán 7 mbonn Éireann, éacht iontach. D’imir an bheirt athair ar an fhoireann chéanna le chéile i gcluichí ceannais na hÉireann cúig huaire agus ar ndóigh bhain na

mic bonn an duine ar an fhoireann chéanna sin a thóg Sam sa bhlian 2009.

Ní miste na cuimhní cinn agus fiú an rómánsachas agus an phisreogacht ach bíonn ciall sa chinneadh peileadóir a bhfuil an lucht leanúna ag dúil le cuid mhór uaidh a chaitheamh isteach taobh amuigh dá chontae dúchais. Bíonn níos lú brú i gceist, scéal níos ciúine a bhíonn ann ach go fóill scríobhtar ‘an ceannlíne’ agus sin sin as an bhealach.

Ach i mo chroí istigh tá cúis eile le mo scéal. Ba bhreá liom Tommy Breatnach a fheiceáil sa pheil Ghaelach arís. Tógann sé an scaifte, is imreoir spleodrach é agus nach sin iad na scileanna a mheallann ar chasán na peile sa chéad áit thú.

Agus dá dtiocfadh Tommy chun páirce inniu agus dá mbeadh comhairle ar bith ag Tadhg dó, cad é a bheadh ann? Tá a fhios go maith ag duine ar bith a bhí i láthair an lá sin i mBaile Eachaidh - “Don’t shoot!”

Is the Derry air perfect for acclimatizing Kerry players returning from Australia!? History would say so!

An gcuirfear Tommy chun páirce inniu?! AN BROC

men visibly unsettled Stacks so much so that they hurriedly reshuffled their forces, pushing Dinny Long into midfield and moving Sheehy to the half-forward line in an effort to arrest the situation.

True, Jimmy Scullin was lucky enough to see his 16th minute speculative shot from 30 yards somehow escape the attentions of Stacks ‘keeper Teddy Brick. But Ballerin were positively sparking on all cylinders at this stage.

Sean O’Connell, mainly subdued because of an unsuitable 50-50 service, nonetheless contrived to lay off the odd ball to leap up to Ballerin scores.

Gerry O’Connell was badly at fault after Sean had placed James McAfee early on. McAfee lobbed over the heads of the Stacks defence but winger O’Connell muffed a great chance for a goal.

Meanwhile, Peter Stevenson and Barney O’Kane in the half-back line, along with Scullin, Malachy McAfee and Gerry Keane, were posing problems for the Kerry men.

The second goal came after Keane had kicked over a magnificent point in the 17th minute. James McAfee sent Malachy through and the ball was transferred sharply to Gerry O’Connell, who found the net.

This left Ballerin ahead by 3-4 to 0-3 after 19 minutes and Deighan booted over their fifth point to leave Ballerin positively on the march.

In addition, goalkeeper Seamus Deighan brought off a superb save from Sheehy after he had been placed by flying wing-back Ger Power.

The Kerry champs began to show to effect and pulled a goal back when Dinny Long had his well-placed sideline kick knocked past Deighan by Paudie McCarthy. But Ballerin were well placed at the interval, leading 2-5 to 1-4.

The Ulster men took far too long in resettling after the resumption

and found themselves pulled back to level scores before they got going again.

Gerry Keane and James McAfee were prominent in this second phase of rallying with two magnificent points, but it was all so frustrating for the anxious Ballerin following when their men failed to sustain the effort.

The nip and tuck nature of the game saw the teams level on four different occasions until Sheehy finally broke the back of the Ballerin challenge with these rangy points.

Thus Sean O’Connell was once again deprived of a national medal, something he has been trying to secure since playing in the 1958 All-Ireland final. With midfield fadeout, there was nothing much O’Connell or his forwards could do to retrieve the situation and in the last quarter, they were obliged to move deep to midfield in trying to get something going.

Gerry Scolard and Anthony O’Keeffe, together with Ger Power, proved real stumbling blocks in defence for Stacks, and captain John O’Keeffe got invaluable assistance from Dennis Long to subdue the Derry threat posed by Malachy McAfee and Jimmy Scullin.

Dangerman was Sheehy in attack because of the accuracy of his frees and his general roving tactics.

Seamus Deighan got good cover from Eamon Moloney, Sean McGahon, Peter Stevenson and Barney O’Kane, but it was an awful pity that the side lacked consistency.

Ballerin scorers: Jimmy Scullin 1-0, Gerry O’Connell 1-0, Gerry Keane 0-3, James McAfee 0-2,

Cathal Faulkner 0-1, PM Deighan 0-1Austin Stacks scorers: M Sheehy

0-7, P McCarthy 1-1, F Ryan 0-2, G O’Keeffe 0-1, J O’Keeffe 0-1, T Sheehan 0-1

BALLERIN: Seamus Deighan; Eddie Moloney (captain), Sean McGahon, Gerry Forrest; Vincent Moloney, Peter Stevenson, Barney O’Kane; Malachy McAfee, Jimmy Scullin; Gerry O’Connell, Gerry Keane, James McAfee; Cathal Faulkner, Sean O’Connell, PM Deighan

AUSTIN STACKS: T Brick; G Scolard, N Power, P Lucy; F Lawlor, A O’Keeffe, G Power; J O’Keeffe, G O’Keeffe; F Ryan, D Long, T Sheehan; J Power, P McCarthy, M Sheehy. Sub: C Mangan for J Power.

Referee: S Aldridge (Kildare)

SARSFIELDS BALLERIN 1976 ULSTER CLUB CHAMPIONS AND ALL-IRELAND FINALISTS

Front row L-R: C. Deighan, P. Deighan, P. M. Deighan, C. Faulkner. G. Forrest, J. McAfee, E. Maloney, J. E. O’Kane, J. Montgomery, G. O’Connell. Back row: S. McGahon, P. O’Connell. J. Mullan, J. Maloney, P. McGahon, S. Deighan, G.

Keane, M. McAfee, O’Connell, J. Scullen, P. Stevenson, B. O’Kane.


One Spring evening in 1975 a knock came to the door of a neat, semi-detached house in Dublin’s Drumcondra district. The lady of the house answered the visitor.

“Could I speak to a young lad called Jack O’Shea?” the dulcet voice enquired. A tall, strapping, shy youth came to the door. He stared in awe at the legendary figure before him.

“Your County minor trainer, Seamus Fitzgerald, asked me to look after you in Dublin.” None other than well-known radio commentator, Micheál O’Muircheartaigh, had been assigned to mentor one of Kerry’s most promising young Gaelic footballers. Jack, who had come to Dublin to undertake an AnCo training course, may have been far away from home but he was now in the safest of Kerry hands. The die for future glory was well and truly cast.

Jack O’Shea came from a stronghold of Gaelic football in Cahirciveen in Co.Kerry. He lived opposite the local St Mary’s football field, otherwise known as the Con Keating Memorial Park. Every spare moment he spent on that field, watching and playing with local and county stars. During his formative childhood years, in the 1960’s, O’Shea was privileged to have two of the all-time heroes of Kerry football regularly visit his local pitch. The great Mick O’Connell, who lived on Valentia Island, used to row his boat over to the mainland and disembark two miles from Cahirciveen. Then he would take his bicycle out of his boat and cycle to Con Keating Park. Meanwhile, his friend and fellow South Kerry “great” – Mick O’Dwyer – would drive up from Waterville and the two footballing legends would then spend two to three hours, three or four evenings per week, practising their catching and kicking skills. They came to Cahirciveen when there were no scheduled county training sessions. Acting as the two maestros’ ball boy, O’Shea stood behind the goals, observed their techniques and imitated them when he retrieved the

ball. Without realising it, O’Shea had developed his own natural ability and could not wait to find a proper platform to display those skills. No aspiring footballer could have asked for a more fruitful apprenticeship.

Under the guidance of the Christian Brothers at his local Primary school and town curate Fr Mc Sweeney, O’Shea played in both school and street leagues. By the age of 13 he was deemed good enough to play at wing back for the Kerry U-14 team in a challenge game against Cork on the morning of the 1971 Munster Senior football football final. Thus for the first time the two Micks and their ball boy represented their county, at different levels, on the same day.

In 1974 O’Shea made his first competitive appearance for Kerry against Waterford in the first round of the Munster minor championship. Though he scored 1-5 from the right corner forward position he was, rather surprisingly, not selected for the Munster final against Cork, a game Kerry lost. However, that was all forgotten the following year when he was the regular full forward on a side which not only won the Munster title but also won the All-Ireland minor title. Jack was superb throughout that campaign on a brilliant side which also included future luminaries such as Charlie Nelligan, Mick Spillane and Seanie Walsh. Jack made his U-21 county debut that year as well. Again he won another All Ireland medal when Kerry defeated Dublin, just two weeks after they had won the Senior All Ireland between the same two counties. 1975 had presented Jack O’Shea with two All-Ireland medals and his U-21 final appearance was his first of four successive finals at this level. The following year Kerry again won the All Ireland U21 title. What was significant about this 1976 success was that that he was now playing centre field along with Seanie Walsh. This was to be the midfield combination that was to achieve many great honours for the Kingdom.

His first Senior breakthrough came in October 1976 when he was selected, as a substitute, against Meath in a National Football league game in Navan. As a car containing some of the selected players broke down, O’Shea was drafted into midfield from the beginning. For the next 16 years, Jack O’Shea was to be a permanent member of each Kerry side .During that year’s league campaign O’Shea impressed everyone with his fetching, long-range point scoring and more than anything else, his remarkable mobility. Possessing phenomenal stamina and great positional sense, Jack always seemed to be where the ball was. This was to be the hallmark of O’Shea’s many outstanding performances in the green and gold for the rest of his career. That 1976-1977 league was the time that the young pretender to football fame actually became accepted as a magnificent all-round player. His and Kerry’s efforts were rewarded when they defeated old rivals Dublin by two points in the National League final. When Kerry won the Munster championship in 1977 and qualified to meet Dublin in the All Ireland semi-final, Jack O’Shea looked forward to playing championship football on the greatest stage of all.

This game was destined, retrospectively, to be viewed as a benchmark in the development of Gaelic football. In 1974 Dublin had introduced, to an unsuspecting public, the short passing game. This, allied to an unparalleled level of physical fitness, was primarily responsible for that year’s success for the Liffeysiders.In 1975, Mick O’Dwyer and his Kerry team had adjusted to the short passing game as well. Possessing more all-round skilful players than Dublin, they literally surprised and destroyed them as they brought the Sam Maguire Cup back to the Kingdom. Dublin, almost incredibly, gained their revenge the following year when they regained the All Ireland title by defeating Kerry by a seven-

point margin in the decider. So, before a ball was kicked in 1977, the mental pressure on both sides was immense.

Played at a frenetic pace this game was a perfect snapshot of the hand passing era at its zenith. In the first half, both sides had their dominant periods with Kerry retiring at half time, three points in front. The second half, of this enthralling encounter, is popularly acknowledged as one of the greatest ever displays of Gaelic football. With six minutes to go Kerry led by two points but in a whirlwind finish Dublin notched two goals and a point to secure a rather flattering five-point winning margin. This whole period of play

was orchestrated by schemer-in-chief and now player-manager Tony Hanahoe, who afterwards acknowledged this was Dublin at the height of their power. All who witnessed this game, either in person or on television, will never forget the wonderful spectacle of footballing excellence, the fluctuating fortunes of the participants and the ambience of excitement and tension that permeated that whole second half. For Jack O’Shea, nevertheless, it was an inauspicious beginning to his big – stage championship career.

The opportunity for Kerry and O’Shea to redress the balance, occurred the following year when the same teams met for the fourth consecutive year in the 1978 All Ireland final. In that game Dublin seized the initiative and after twenty minutes led by six points to one before an opportunist goal by Kerry

corner forward, the late John Egan, steadied Kerry’s nerves. When their ace talisman, Mike Sheehy, chipped goalie Paddy Cullen from a free kick for a spectacular goal before the interval, Kerry were now in the driving seat. In the second half, with Jack O’Shea lording the midfield exchanges, the wonderful Kerry forward line literally tore the Dublin defence apart with new full forward Eoin Liston notching three goals in the process. In 1975 Kerry had promised to be a great side. Now, with the arrival of O’Shea and Liston, the two missing central pieces of that marvellous Kerry jigsaw were in place. The greatest team that we will probably ever see were about to dominate Gaelic football. The

earlier promise had been delivered with interest. As he left the field, Jack O’Shea was a contented young man.He now had his full quota of minor, U-21 and Senior All Ireland medals.

From 1978-1981, when Kerry won four successive Senior All-Ireland titles, it is generally accepted that we saw Gaelic football at its highest ever standard of excellence. The 1981 final was especially pleasing for O’Shea. Having dominated the midfield battle along with Seanie Walsh (for younger readers - father of the current Aussie returnee Tommy!) the Cahirciveen man sealed the issue with a spectacular goal seven minutes from the end. He was also chosen as footballer of the year in 1980 and 1982, an incomparable feat he was to repeat in 1984 and 1985. Though naturally disappointed at losing the chance of

five in a row titles to a last minute goal to Offaly in the 1982 final, that outstanding Kerry side had the ultimate consolation when they won another three All Irelands from 1984 to 1986. 1984 was a special year for Jack as he captained Kerry to a National League triumph over Galway and he was selected at midfield on the Sunday Independent/Irish Nationwide football team of the century. In 1992 when Clare defeated Kerry to win their first provincial title in 75 years O’Shea decided to retire. From 1976 to 1992 the man who won six All Stars in a row (1980-1985) had strode the playing fields of Ireland, playing senior inter-county football to an unprecedented high level of consistency. Always displaying poise, aplomb and a sportsman to his fingertips, his resignation (the last of the 1978-1981 team to do so) finally ended a glorious era for Kerry football.

As a mark of respect and esteem in which he was held, regarding his football and leadership abilities, O’Shea was selected as captain of the Irish team for the 1984 and 1986 International Rules series with Australia. He also toured with the Irish team under the captaincy of Meath’s Robbie O’Malley in 1990.During the course of his career Jack trained his own adopted club of Leixlip in County Kildare for several years. After his retirement as a player he was appointed manager of the Mayo Senior team and led them to a Connacht title in 1993.However after Mayo were surprisingly beaten by Leitrim in the following year’s provincial Jack stepped down. Nowadays the plumbing and central heating contractor is a much respected media pundit on Gaelic football both in the print and electronic media.

When Micheal O’Muircheartaigh and Jack first met, one was a household name and the other an aspirant to fame. Thanks to Micheal and many others’ sustained assistance, Jack O’Shea has accomplished his full potential as one of the great Gaelic footballers of the second millennium. Possessing a steely inner strength of character and a voracious appetite for the game that he knows and played so well it can realistically be said that he really has become a legend in his own lifetime.

RECALLING JACK O’SHEA - One of the Super Stars of Kerry’s Golden Era BY SEAMUS MC RORY


Editor: Dermot McPeakeCover and theme design: Niall McGlinchey (niallmcglinchey.com)Photography: Margaret McLaughlin, Mary K Burke, Danny O’KaneCover Photo: Diarmuid Greene (Sportsfile)Contributions: As namedProduction: David Higgins (DJ Print)

With the communications efforts of Derry GAA recongised by Ulster GAA Writers in 2014, we are delighted to bring you a new look ‘Oakleafers’ series, building on the efforts of the past two years.

I would like to thank Kerry PRO, John O’Leary for his assistance in compiling this publication.We believe it is vital that we produce top quality publications that represent value-for-money. We hope you

enjoy the latest edition and welcome any feedback or suggestions for future editions. (E: [email protected])

Diarmuid McPeiceOfigeach Caipreamh Poiblí Doire C.L.G.

Right now, life is good for Shannon McCrystal. Accepted onto the Talent Athlete Entry Scheme at The University of Ulster, the 19-year-old from Desertmartin is looking forward to the upcoming 2015 season with Derry ladies footballers.

With access to top level physiotherapy and strength and conditioning training through her university award, she has come a long, long way from being part of the group of girls who played alongside the boys for St Martin’s under 10’s.

“We didn’t have a girls’ team so we played like that [on boy’s teams] up until under-14,” she explains.

Having just finished taking part in the filming of a coaching video for the Ladies Gaelic Football Association – coordinated by the National Games Development Officer for the Association, William Harmon - Shannon McCrystal’s steady personal progression mirrors the ongoing development of the game in her county and province.

With Derry squads winning provincial ‘C’ championships at u14 and minor level in 2014, structured efforts are beginning to see results. With clubs historically struggling for numbers at underage, it’s also where the current phase of Shannon’s career began:

“At under-14 level we were invited to take part in trials for county development squads. That continued right through to under-16 and then under-18 so it kept me involved in the game.”

After making her senior debut for Derry just days before her seventeenth birthday, the fact that Shannon McCrystal has excelled at sport will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with her family background.

Second youngest in a family of five children (three girls, two boys), McCrystal’s elder sister, Danielle, was part of the Derry camogie team which dramatically captured the All-Ireland intermediate title in 2012, also winning the Ulster Young player of the year award in 2010. With sister, Leanne, currently playing football for Boston Shamrocks in the US, and brothers Mark and Paul doing likewise at home with Desertmartin, it’s a family immersed in Gaelic games.

“My family was always involved in sport in the parish and the county,” says the UUJ student.

“And the school as well, of course,” she continues.” I went to St Pius X in Magherafelt where I played football and camogie. Like everywhere else, we struggled to get girls for the football team. Camogie was very strong in the school and it has done very well at it so it was a challenge.

“I played both and I enjoyed both but I just took to the football more. I felt I was better at it so I’ve continued with it,” she says.

With Derry Ladies getting their Tesco Homegrown National League campaign underway today with a trip to Offaly, the Oak Leaf ladies have been motivated by last year’s series of impressive performances which saw them reach the All-Ireland Junior semi-final, losing out in the end to New York.

McCrystal elaborates:“Our goal remains to go one step

further than last year. Our goal for the league would be to get a few more victories under our belt and build confidence going into the championship.

Knowing that we got that far last year, we know this year that we can go that bit farther through working just that wee bit harder.”

Working hard is something the squad have already developed into their culture.

“We train twice a week at Owenbeg, a Tuesday and a Thursday. Half of the girls are from South Derry and half from North Derry so it’s handy there in the middle,” says McCrystal.

Training at Owenbeg two nights a week whilst also training and playing for university, school and club teams mean a serious commitment for everyone involved. However, it’s an effort sure to be given a further boost this year with the recent appointment of Banagher’s Charlie O’Kane to the managerial position.

With several spells involved with Derry minor footballers, O’Kane will bring a wealth of experience to the position - something which is also found within the squad.

With four of McCrystal’s Desertmartin team mates involved (Thomasina McGovern, Noeleen Murphy, Nuala Browne, Aideen Fullen), she readily admits that the younger girls look to the older girls for inspiration.

“People like Thomasina McGovern and Ashelene Groogan would have played in Croke Park before, and have a lot experience in the game.”

“That’s where we want to be so it’s great to have people involved who have been there. We would look up to the older girls for sure.”

With Derry seniors, UUJ ladies and Desertmartin ladies’ teams all requiring her services, there won’t be much down time in McCrystal’s schedule in the year ahead. She’d not have it any other way at present though, confirming:

“It’s hard to fit it all in at times but it’s worth it at the end.”

MC CRYSTAL SEES EMERGENCE OF NEW GENERATION BY DERMOT MC PEAKE

Twins Caoimhe and Teagan Kearney are the subject of this, the first edition, of Oakleafers ‘Social Scene’ which will bring you the most talked about stories on our social media channels. Sent in by former Derry u21 and minor footballer dad, Paul Kearney, the picture reached over 25,000 people last week on Facebook alone and made dad and mum, Ursula from Glencolmcille (Donegal) very proud parents indeed. And rightly so!

@doiregaa (18.1k followers) officialderrygaa (5.5k followers, reach 50k per week)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOGRA

SOCIAL SCENE

Derry Ladies National League FixturesSun 8 Feb – Offaly v DerrySun 22 Feb – Derry v WicklowSun 1 Mar – Derry v AntrimSun 15 Mar – Limerick v DerrySun 29 Mar – Louth v Derry


Kerry Won Their First All Ireland In Hurling

Kerry have won a bagful of All Ireland senior football titles but did you know that they won the All Ireland hurling title twelve years before they won the football title. The first National title to come to the county was in 1891 when their hurlers beat Wexford by 2-3 to 1-5 in the All Ireland hurling final.

It was 1903 before the football title was captured but in those days you virtually had to win it twice. In the home final The Kingdom had a 0-8 to 0-2 success against Kildare but in the real final they beat London by 0-11 to 0-3.

Due to a dispute in the first Kildare meeting the game had to be had to be replayed but it ended in a draw Kerry 0-7 Kildare 1-4. At the third attempt Kerry put it right winning easily by 0-8 to 0-2. They retained the title in 1904. In those early days of the Association Kerry laid down a marker winning in1909, 1913 and 1914. Old habits die hard!!

The Ghost Train.To those of us who visited Barry’s

Amusements as children The Ghost Train was a bit scary. In Kerry the Ghost Train has a special meaning, it carried the Kerry supporters to numerous All Ireland finals. In 1910 Kerry gave Louth a walkover in the final because of a dispute with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company. Kerry were unhappy at the manner in which the railway company treated their supporters.

In 1926 songwriter and poet

Sigerson Clifford travelled from Cahersiveen to Croke Park for the final against Kildare, the game was a draw but Kerry won the replay.

Here are a few lines of The Ghost Train well known to Kerry folk.

Ah, I mind it all so clearly when the stars dance on the hills,

With their faces scrubbed and shiny and the powder in their hair,

And the tide across the sandbanks turning lazy in its sleep,

And a lonesome curlew bubbling here and there,

We all met at Keating’s corner when ‘twas midnight by the clock-

Casey’s mouth organ made music like a lark.

And we gave the Kerry war- cry as we marched north two by two.

To lep aboard the ghost train for Croke Park.

Mighty MickKerry county has produced more

outstanding Gaelic footballers than any other. There may have been different styles for different eras but those fortunate enough to see Mick O’Connell in action will always remember his wonderful ability.

He could rise an amazing height for a ball and kick points from frees and from play anywhere within sixty yards. Right foot or left foot, it made no difference.

He won four All Ireland titles with his county in three different decades, the fifties, sixties and seventies. The fact that he rowed a boat from his home on Valentia Island on to the mainland for training and games made him almost mystical figure.

He was a quiet and very private man but was quick witted. In one

game he fell to the ground and an opponent said “get up you lazy *****, Mick calmly replied, “ Maybe you might be able to catch a few balls when I am down here”.

On another occasion he left for home after immediately after winning the Sam Maguire. When asked the reason for his quick departure he replied “ I had to go home ad milk the cows”

He was selected on the team of the Millenium and the Team of the Century. For the Derry team of 1961 it was a painful lesson from the mighty Mick. In the National League final of that year Kerry won by 4-16 to 1-5. Mick kicked nine points from midfield most of them from play.

Three Kerry v Derry League Finals.Derry and Kerry have met in

three National League finals with Kerry winning two. After their shock championship defeat by Derry in the 1958 All Ireland semi final which was the first ever meeting of the counties Kerry gained a measure of revenge the following year when they beat Derry by 2-8 to 1-8 in the league final.

Two years later came that bad day for Derry. The teams had to wait until 2008 for their third meeting when Derry came out on top at Parnell Park by 2-13 to 2-9.

Kerry have completed two four in a rows in the league. They won four between 1928 and 1932, the 29/30 league was not played. In that period Kerry beat Kildare twice as well as Cork and Cavan.

The next winning quartet came between 1971 and 1974 when Mayo twice, Offaly and Roscommon in

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replay provided the opposition.Derry’s first league win and

indeed first National title came in 1947 when they beat Clare at Croke Park by 2-9 to 2-5. One player from that team Paddy McErlean passed away recently.

Poacher Turned Gamekeeper.Johnny Culloty was one of the

best and also one of longest serving goalkeepers in the game yet he started his career as a forward. The Killarney man won his first All Ireland as a forward against Kerry in 1955 but went on to win four more as a goalie. Those titles came in 1959, 1962,1969 and 1970. He was captain of the 1969 team. He played in an amazing nine All Ireland finals and won five National League medals in 1959 and 1961 both against Derry. He followed up in1963, 1969 and 1971. He also represented his county in hurling for close on twenty years.

In the present day it is hard to imagine any player with such a long career. Now retirements start at 28 !!

First Visit To Celtic Park.This will be Kerry’s fourth trip to

Derry for a National League game. They met twice at Dean McGlinchey Park Ballinascreen with one victory each. The third meeting was at Bellaghy when Kerry came out on top. Today is the first time Kerry will have played at Celtic Park. They may have had people here in the city at Congress and The National Fleadh but for the footballers it is first.

It is an honour for us to host the All Ireland champions at our top venue here today.

Kerry Men Bring Gaelic Games To Book.

The first ever book on how to play Gaelic football was written by Kerry player Dick Fitzgerald. It featured team play and individual play. It was suggested that a fund be set up to compensate players who took time off to train. However the training was not exactly long term. Training should commence in the weeks leading up to major games.

Dr Eamon O’Sullivan trained eight All Ireland winning teams between the twenties and sixties. He was probably the first trainer to see the value of nutrition and the balance between training and rest.

His 1958 book The Art And Science Of Gaelic Football was based on a 24 hour schedule as follows. 8-30 Rise, 9-0 Breakfast, 10-30 Walk, 12-45 Sponging and Towelling, 1-30 Dinner, 3-30 to St. Coman’s Park for limbering,

free exercises, hurdling, sprinting, place kicking and general practice :tactics 5-30 Baths and attention to injuries, 6-30 Tea, 8pm Short Walk, 9-45 Supper, 10-30 pm Retire. (Presumably go to bed).

Not All Bull.This is absolutely true : Back in

the fifties a man from a club in the North of Derry went with a few friends to an All Ireland final which Kerry won.

The man, a bit of a forward thinker was delighted to find himself in the company of a Kerry player after the game. Thinking that he could pick up a bit of useful information as to why the Kerry players looked so strong and fit he posed the question. How do you boys train? The big Kerry man looked him straight in the eye. “Ah boy its aisy, we just go into a big field and catch a bull by the tail. Then we hold on till he drops”

Question answered!

The Derry GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee will host a seminar on mental health, with a focus on on addictions, in Owenbeg on Thursday the 19th of February at 7.30pm.

Our guest speakers will include Armagh and Crossmaglen legend, Oisín McConville who will share his own story. Director of the White Oaks Rehabilitation centre, Stephen McLaughlin and Michael Lynch (managing director of Men’s Action Network based in Derry) will also address the event.

It is hoped that delegates from all clubs in Derry will be in attendance at this event which formally launches our Health and Wellbeing committee in Derry.

This is a public meeting with all interested parties invited to attend. For further information, contact Michael Crilly on 07969 527058.


CIARRAÍDOIRE

Fir Íonaid:16 Eoin McNicholl E Mac Niocaill (Gleann an Iolair)17 Declan Brown D de Brun (Baile Eachaidh)18 Liam McGoldrick L Mac Ualghairg (Eoghan Rua)19 Conor Murphy C Ó Murchadh (Dún Geimhin)20 Néill McNicholl N Mac Niocaill (Gleann an Iolair)21 Barry McGoldrick B Mac Ualghairg (Eoghan Rua)22 Eoin Bradley E O’Brolachán (Gleann an Iolair)23 James Kearney S Ó Brollacháin (Suaitreach)24 Daniel McKinless D Mag Aonglais (Baile an Doire)25 Emmett McGuckin E Mag Eocháin (Machaire Fíolta)26 Seán Brady S Ó Brádaigh (Baile Mhic Guaigín)27 Brian Óg McAlary B Óg Ó Cleirigh (Cill Ria)

Management: Brian McIver, Paddy Tally, Paul McIver, Jody Wilson.

1

Thomas MallonT Ó Maoileoin

(An Lúb)

2

Oisín DuffyO Ó Dubhthaigh

(Forghleann)

3

Niall HollyN Holly

(Eoghan Rua)

4

John O’KaneS Ó Catháin

(Gleann an Iolair)

8

Mark Lynch(C)M Ó Loingsigh(Beannchar)

9

Conor McAtamneyC Mac an Tiompanaigh

(Suaitreach)

10

Ciarán McFaulC MacPhail

(Gleann)

11

Benny HeronB O’hEarain

(Baile na Scrine)

12

Enda LynnE Loinn

(Grainloch)

13

Mark CraigM de Creag

(Dún Geimhin)

14

Terence O’BrienT Ó Briain(An Lúb)

15

Daniel HeavronD Heavron

(Machaire Fíolta)

Fir Íonaid:16 Shane Murphy S. Ó Murchú (Kilcummin)17 Kieran O’Leary C. Ó Laoire (Dr. Crokes)18 Philip O’Connor P. Ó Conchúir (Cordal)19 Alan Fitzgerald A Mac Gearailt (Castlegregory)20 Jack McGuire S. Mag Guidhir (Listowel Emmets)21 Shane Enright S. Mac Ionrachtaigh (Tarbert)22 Anthony Maher A. Ó Meachair (Duagh)23 Killian Young C. de Siún (Renard)24 Donnchadh Walsh D. Breathnach (Cromane)25 Padraig O’Connor P. Ó Conchúir (Killarney Legion)26 Thomas Hickey T. Ó hIcí (Desmonds)27 Daithí Casey D. Cáthasaigh (Dr Crokes)

Bainisteóir: Eamonn Fitzmaurice (Finuge) Traenálaí: Cian O’Neill (Moorefield, Kildare) Róghnóirí: Diarmuid Murphy (Dingle), Mikey Sheehy (Austin Stacks).

1

Brendan Kealy B.Ó Caolaí

(Kilcummin)

2

Pa KilkennyP. Mac Giolla Chainnigh

(Glenbeigh/Glencar)

3

Mark GriffinM. Ó Grifín

(St. Michaels/Foilmore)

4

Fionn FitzgeraldF. Mac Gearailt

(Dr Crokes)

5

Jonathan LyneS. Ó Laighin

(Killarney Legion)

6

Jack SherwoodS. Sherwood

(Firies)

7

Paul MurphyP. Ó Murchú(Rathmore)

8

David Moran (C)D. Ó Moráin

(Kerins O’Rahillys)

9

Tommy WalshT. Breathnach


10

Michael Geaney M.Ó Géibheannaigh

(Dingle)

11

Bryan SheehanB. Ó Siocháin(St. Mary’s)

12

Johnny BuckleyS. Ó Buáchalla

(Dr. Crokes)

13

Stephen O’BrienS. Ó Briain(Kenmare)

14

Paul Geaney P. Ó Géibheannaigh

(Dingle)

15

Barry John Keane B.S. Ó Catháin


5

Kevin JohnstonC Johnston

(Dún Geimhin)

6

Gerard O’KaneG Ó Catháin

(Gleann an Iolair)

7

Sean Leo McGoldrickS L Mac Ualghairg

(Eoghan Rua)


showed great loyalty as a player, are helping him with the financial problems which he now faces as a disabled person.

Early this year the Kerry and Offaly players, who had battled it out in the 1972 All-Ireland Football Final, staged a ‘replay’ in Killarney for Gary’s benefit.

Just a few months earlier, the same two teams had met in Tullamore, Co Offaly. This time the benefits of the match were to finance a kidney machine to be installed in the local county hospital. That there was a need for such a machine had been highlighted by the plight of Kieran Claffey, the gentle giant of the victorious 1971 Offaly football team. From 1976, the big midfielder had to make a painful 68-mile journey to a Dublin hospital, three days a week, to spend five hours on a kidney machine. When his fellow footballers learned of Kieran’s misfortune there was a spontaneous and heart-warming response. The match was organised, well publicised and some afterwards, a cheque for the £11,700

presented to Kieran to finance the vital piece of equipment.

In February, there was a similar response at the death of Paddy Ryan from Thurles, a former leader of the London County Board, a former vice-president of the association, and at the time of his death, a member of the Central Council. A fund was set up to help with the education of his children and recently had the figure of £8,000.

Perhaps the “grab all” image refers to the “tight fisted” club treasurer – the man who waits until the last five minutes of his club’s match to ensure that no late comers gain free admission. If it does, then it should also be remembered that it is the work of such men in Derry county which is helping to fulfil the ambition that by the Centenary year (1984) every club should own its own ground. to be continued...

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ON A FEW occasions, a friend, who knows my interest in the Gaelic Athletic Association, but who himself displays little interest in any sport, has greeted me with the words: “…and how’s the Grab All Association?” Not very complimentary of him, you might say, and I am inclined to agree with him that it was a joke with a jag.

The above attitude in the past was fostered by the association’s failure to be accountable for the finances which passed into its coffers. Spectators witnessed the huge crowds flocking to championship semi-finals and finals and even to county finals and they naturally queried the destination of the gate receipts. When adequate answers were not given and when merely paltry sums of money filtered back down to club level, suspicions were aroused and images of a grabbing association amassing large sums of money were formed.

Nowadays, of course, the finances of Central Council are open for inspection and financial policies are clear. Indeed, the GAA’s financial commitment to the development of the Ceannarus Headquarters at Croke Park, to the building of a

stand at Semple Stadium, Thurles, to the repayment of loans for the building of Pairc O Caoimh in Cork, and to developments at club level throughout the country has prompted one financial commentator of the Press to seriously inquire if the association was not overspending.

The accusation ‘grab all’ exists among our players today and is often made by ex-players who recall the Spartan days when they were forced by lack of facilities to tog out behind the hedges. Whether or not today’s player is pampered is very debatable; certainly he has more attractions to play other sports or take part in other activities besides Gaelic Football or Hurling. In particular, the pressures on a county footballer can be great, as Derry county player, Mickey Moran, so aptly demonstrated in last year’s Year Book: “…if one decides to play county football, then one must give his total commitment, sacrifice his life style, and exclude as far as possible all interests that conflict with it.” This ability to give much, to adopt a professional approach to an amateur game, has been highlighted within the last five years

by that ongoing epic struggle on the football field between Kerry and Dublin. The tremendous work and dedication shown by both panels of players was motivated by the great rivalry between them and brought to fruition a very high standard of football. So high was te standard that Kerry’s Mick O’Connell stated on RTE’s programme “Trom agus Eadrom” that he once thought, but had now changed his mind, that such a standard could not be achieved without the game becoming professional.

During the past year, the generosity of players was even more clearly demonstrated by their attitude towards two former players who have recently had an overdose of ill-luck. When Gary Scholard lined out at right full-back for Kerry’s Austin Stack’s against Ballerin’s P. M. Deighan in the All-Ireland Club Football Final in February 1977, little did he realise that a freak accident would bring his playing career to a traumatic end. Today, Gary, now confined to wheelchair, is rebuilding his life, ably assisted by his wide Bridie and young son Gerard. But it is gratifying to hear that his local club and county, to whom Gary

A VIEW FROM ‘79 BY COLUM P. MULLAN

This article is the first in a series of three extracts from ‘Grab All Association’, a piece first published in ‘The Oakleaf’ magazine in December 1979 by the late, great Colum P. Mullan

Why Become a GAA Referee?Stay involved with the game as an alternative to playing

Fitness – It’s a great way to keep fit

Ambition – could you referee a County Final or even an All-Ireland?

Learn more about the game

Give Something Back – offers players, at the end of their playing days, the opportunity to continue in the sport

Personal Development – helps to develop personal skills that are of value in all walks of life

What qualities are required to become a GAA Referee?• Good knowledge of the playing rules• Be physically and mentally fit• Have the ability to remain calm• Have the moral courage to take decisions which are correct

How do I become a Referee?The first thing to do, is to contact your local Referee Administrator or Recruitment Officer who will give you details on upcoming GAA Referee Foundation Course in your local area, which you will have to complete before you can referee games. GAA Club Referee Course will take 3 nights to complete and will be delivered by GAA Referee Tutors. Please contact our Referee Administrator Sean Curran on 07912092848.


It’s time to make an admission. It’s not something I’ve specifically lied about but rather a truth that I’ve not actively publicised. I know I’m risking widespread ridicule here but it’s time to proudly declare it.

My name is Chris McCann and I enjoy National League matches more than Championship matches.

There, I said it. It’s not big and it’s not clever but it’s true. I know that when the measure of a team or a player’s greatness is calibrated it’s their Championship achievements that count. Exploits in July and September are what fill the archive of the GAA’s highlight reels not feats achieved from February to April. But I can’t help it, I love the league and it’s not just because it’s the footballing arena where Derry have achieved greatest success in the last 20 years.

A small part of it is probably a latent teenage/student pretentiousness. I’m the kind of arsehole who, back in the day, would have deliberately started talking about songs from REM’s IRS label back catalogue of Murmur, Reckoning and Life’s Rich Pageant when someone asked me if I’d liked Losing My Religion.

I was the same with Pearl Jam. When I was 19 they were my band, they did become very big but never quite went fully mainstream a la U2 or REM. They teetered on the brink of stadium and cigarette lighter status around 1994 when Vitalogy was a massive album but they quite deliberately steered a course

away from this career path with successively more oblique offerings. Ask most people to name you a Pearl Jam song and they’ll come up blank. Ask them to name an REM song and a fair few will at least be able to hazard Everybody Hurts. The quality of Pearl Jam albums declined substantially, particularly after Yield, but it meant I, and similarly minded indie rock fans of a certain age, could retain an adolescent sense of ownership about them.

This made me happy. My feelings about the National League are something similar. If an Ulster final is U2 or the Foo Fighters at Slane then a February National League game is Talking Heads at CBGB’s in 1975 or The Who playing the Golden Slipper at Magilligan in 1967 (Google this it

actually happened).Yet there’s more to my love of the

league than just pretention. There’s no denying the sense of occasion that you feel sitting among 30,000 at Clones or 60,000 at Croker when the roar of the crowd amplifies the tensions but in the more intimate environs of a league fixture you feel a connection to the game.

In Ballybofey last Saturday night my nine year old nephew Fionn decided he wanted to head to terrace at the far end of the ground so that he could retrieve footballs that had cleared the catch net for Thomas Mallon. As far as Fionn was concerned he was part of ‘team Derry’ playing a role for the county. My contribution was less laudable; as I became embroiled in a brief

LEAGUE A FOOTBALLING NIRVANA FOR GAA’S HIPSTERS BY CHRIS MC CANN

verbal joust with an umpire whom I felt was a little too enthusiastic in his efforts to secure a yellow card for Niall Holly. The point is a National League contest allows for a sense of connection with the game that simply isn’t feasible when you’re one voice among tens of thousands.

Perhaps more important is the club-like sense of community exists that around National League games that again can’t be replicated among the throngs of June and July. The hardy bunch of football perennials that stood on the icy terraces at Ballybofey last Saturday night and those that at turn-up to volunteer and support at Celtic Park today enjoy a camaraderie that can only be formed through shared experience. With city men like Alan Nash and South Derry natives like Magherafelt’s Marty Donnelly giving up their time to facilitate the games,

and supporters like Thomas O’Kane from Faughanvale or my own club chairman Sean Bradley attending every match, it’s at National League games where the sense of Oak Leaf identity is strongest.

The crowd that turns up at Celtic Park and further afield in February are the county football cognoscenti. With breath visible in the crisp air and late winter sunshine, they huddle on concrete terraces discussing the merits of the new call-ups from Steelstown, Ballymaguigan and Lissan in the same manner that I would have weighed up the strengths and weaknesses of Sugar’s Copper Blue versus Soundgarden’s Superunknown in the early 1990s.

With the arrival of May and the Ulster Championship football goes mainstream, we’re forced to share our match day experience with the GAA equivalent of One Directioners.

Of course we enjoy the thrill of the big day but we’ll also have cause to roll our eyes as some guy in a brand new replica Derry shirt asks why Enda Muldoon isn’t in the starting line-up or gowls “Go on Lynch ya boy ye” when it’s actually Emmett McGuckin who’s just sent the ball to the net.

So if you’re stood on the Celtic Park terraces reading this, hold your head proud. You are the cool kids of the Gaelic football, the skinny jean wearing, bearded hipsters of the association. It’s a badge to be worn with pride, preferably pinned to the Alice in Chains t-shirt that you bought at their Ulster Hall gig in 1993.

SUPPORTERS’ STAND

Teams played for: played for Doire Colmcille and represented them in Feile in 2009, have been playing Camogie for Na Magha since aged 7, Thornhill started up a Camogie team last year and I played in the Ulster School Colleges final with them

What are your earliest GAA

memories from both a club and county perspective?

My earliest county memory is going to see Derry play against

Dublin in Croke Park in 2007, and for my club, before Na Magha had their own pitch, I remember training in Templemore Sports Complex with Donna and Emmett McCloskey.

What were your most memorable days following (insert club) and Derry?

Winning the County Derry U16 Camogie title with Na Magha in 2013,

Most memorable days with Derry are winning the 2008 National Football League title in Parnell Park, beating Kerry in the final

What is special for you about

the GAA? A true sense of identity - the fact

that I can follow the county where I am from, and my club which is within my parish. The GAA is a big part of my life and I love it - I’ve been following Derry GAA for a long time and it means a lot to me! Massive thanks to my dad, Dermot, for bringing me into the GAA.

Predictions on how Derry will fare in both the National Football League and Championship?

Without the Slaughtneil men, I think we will struggle in the League, however with the return of them and now we have Eoin Bradley back, when the Championship begins in the Summer, I feel we will be well ready for Down!

Name: Bláthnaid McElholmAge: 15Club: Na MaghaSchool: Thornhill College


PLAYERPROFILE

Date of Birth:29/6/88Club: Kerins O’Rahillys Height: 6ft 3” Weight: 96KG Occupation: Transaction Advisory Services with Ernest & Young When and where did you first play Football? U8s in Strand Road, Tralee

Inter County Debut Date: 2008 - NFL V Donegal, Championship V Cork

Sporting Achievements to date:2 All-Ireland Senior, 1 All-Ireland U21, 1 National League, 1 Munster Minor & 1 County Minor Championship

Minor Experience with Kerry: 2006

Under 21 Experience with Kerry: 2007-2009 Favourite Venue: Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney Biggest influence on your sporting career to date?My Father Ogie and Family, Alan O’Sullivan & Underage club coaches

Most memorable sporting moment as a player? All-Ireland Final 2014 In ten years’ time I hope to be... Still Playing!

If there was a ‘transfer market’ who would you buy?Gooch to Kerins O’Rahillys!

The best invention ever: Internet What skill do you think is the most important in Football?Accurate Kicking

Favourite sport other than Football? Golf

What do you like most about the GAA? Friendships made

Hobbies: Golf & Greyhounds Favourite Food? Bacon & Cabbage Drink? Milk

Favourite Music? Snow Patrol Favourite Film? Gladiator

Do you Tweet? YesDavid Moran (Ciarraí)

Conleith Gilligan bundles in a vital goal in the league final of 2008. photo Margaret McLaughlin

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Eamonn Fitzmaurice - ManagerAt 37, Eamonn Fitzmaurice is one

of the younger breed of inter county football managers who have come to the fore in recent years. Though his coaching experience was limited when taking up the position, his record as a player is second to none. He made his minor debut for Kerry in 1994 as a seventeen year old, a year in which The Kingdom captured their last All Ireland in the grade and he advanced to Under 21 level two years later being a member of the successful All Ireland winning sides of 1996 and 1998. He made his senior championship debut against Cork in 1998 and went on to win three All Ireland titles (2000, 2004 and 2006) before retiring in 1997 when just 29 years of age. In all, he played 48 senior championships matches for his native county.

At Club level, he was no less successful winning senior championship titles in both Cork, with UCC (1999), and Kerry with Divisional side Feale Rangers whom he captained to the title in

2007 giving a man of the match performance in the process. Along with his former Kerry team-mate Paul Galvin, he was also a member of the Finuge team who captured the inaugural All Ireland Junior Club title in 2005 and he played his last game for the Club when they went down to Cookstown Fr Rocks in the All Ireland Intermediate final two years ago. Neither did he confine his sporting activities to football; he holds a county senior hurling championship medal won with Lixnaw and indeed hurling runs in the blood – his great grandfather, Maurice Fitzmaurice, was a member of the Kerry team that won their one and only All Ireland senior Hurling title in 1891!

Eamonn eased his way into management when Jack O’Connor bought him on board as a selector in 2009 when Kerry defeated Cork in the All Ireland final but he stepped down the following year following Kerry’s loss to Down at the quarter final stage. He returned as a senior selector in 2012, a year that also

saw him take charge of the county Under 21 side.

Describing his decision to become the new senior football supremo in the Kingdom as “too good an opportunity to turn down” he did, at the time, admit that he was reluctant to leave his position as Under 21 manager and he also held some reservations over managing some players he held close relationships with having lined out together in All Ireland winning teams. Yet having received the backing of Jack O’Connor, the man he replaced in the position, and his family, the Finuge man decided to accept the offer.

“It was never a burning ambition of mine to be involved in Kerry management and when I got the call to get involved with Jack for the start of 2009, it was a bolt out of the blue. But I really enjoyed it and when the chance came along, I just felt it was too good an opportunity to turn down. I spoke to Jack before taking it and he made the point that there’s never a perfect time to take

MEET THE KERRY MANAGEMENT TEAM

these jobs – the chance might not arise again”.

Cian O’Neill Cian, who doubles as Physical

trainer and a selector is a member of the Moorefield GAA Club Co Kildare with whom he won 2 County Championship medals.

He played Minor and Under 21 with Kildare and was called into Mick O’Dwyer’s Senior squad in 2000 but a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season training shortly after joining the squad effectively finished his county career before it started. His football career came to a premature end in 2003 following a car accident.

Cian took up Coaching with Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s Limerick for 3 years, 2005/06 and 2006/07 and has been involved in Senior All Ireland Finals in 5 of the last 6 years with 3 different counties!

He was involved with Tipperary senior hurlers for 4 years, 2008 NHL Champions, Member of Liam Sheedy’s Management team in 2009 when defeated by Kilkenny in All Ireland final; was trainer in 2010 when Tipp beat Kilkenny in the final, and in 2011 when they lost to Kilkenny in the final. He was the Mayo Trainer with James Horan in 2012 when Mayo lost the All Ireland final to Donegal.

Has been involved in the development of various coaching modules in both Kildare, Limerick and Croke Park and is a Dept of Physical Education and Sports Science Lecturer in CIT

Diarmuid Murphy (Dingle)Diarmuid Murphy, a selector with

the Kerry team since 2011, made 41 senior championship appearances with Kerry despite not making his championship debut until 2004 against Clare at the ripe old age of 28 having served in the shadows of Declan O’Keeffe for many years.

A Kerry Minor in 1992, he is the holder of 2 All Ireland Under 21 medals, 1995 when he captained the side, and 1996.

His period as custodian of the Kerry net coincided with one of the most successful eras for Kerry football and he has 4 All Ireland titles, 3 NFL titles and 3 All Stars to show for his endeavours.

He retired in 2009 having picked up a 3rd All Star and in 2011 he joined Jack O’Connor’s backroom team as a selector, a position he retained when Eamonn Fitzmaurice came on board in 2013.

Mikey Sheehy (Austin Stacks)The quiet and unassuming Austin

Stacks clubman, had already made a name for himself at colleges level with Tralee CBS before donning the Kerry Jersey for the first time in the Munster Minor Championship of 1971. The young Tralee lad scored 10 points in that game, but he was out of luck in the Minor grade in both the ’71 and ’72 finals. Success was just around the corner however when in the following year he won his first Munster Championship medal in the Under 21 Grade and his 1-3 in the final was instrumental in the defeat of Mayo to bring him his first All Ireland medal.

His scoring feats for the Under 21s soon brought him to the notice of the senior selectors and it was his 3 points when introduced as a sub against Cork in an NFL game in Killarney in November 1973 that prompted veteran broadcaster Micheál Ó Muirceartaigh to proclaim to his radio audience that Sheehy was a player for the future.

How right he was, and though

his first senior championship campaign in 1974 ended in defeat to Cork before a record attendance in Killarney, he lost no time making up for that setback and went on to play in 16 Munster senior finals in all (including draws), winning 11, including 8 in a row between 1975 and 1982.

Success in Munster of course was just a stepping stone to success at national level and Sheehy went on to become one of the most decorated players of all time, winning a record equalling 8 All Ireland Senior Medals, 7 All Star awards, Texaco Footballer of the Year, 5 Railway Cups and 3 National League medals. He played 45 Championship games for his beloved Kerry scoring a massive 29 goals and 205 points in the process.

He was no less successful with his Club, the famed Austin Stacks with whom he won every honour at his disposal including an All Ireland Club title in 1977.

His prowess on the football fields of Munster and beyond saw him named on both the Football Team of the Century and the Team of The Millenium.

NFL Final 2008


I REMEMBER THE DAY...1987 - Derry v Kerry @ Bellaghy, Charity match .

Photos copyright Danny O’Kane

H & A Mechanical Services Division 1 Round 1 Sunday, April 12



M & L Contracts SFC Round 1 Thursday, July 23rd to Sunday, July 26th inclRound 2 Thursday, July 30th to Sunday, August 2nd inclQualifier Friday, August 14th to Sunday, August 16th inclQuarter Final Thursday, August 20th to Sunday, August 23rd inclSemi Final Saturday, September 12th to Sunday, September 13th inclFinal Sunday, October 4th

Intermediate Football Championship Round 1 Thursday, July 23rd to Sunday, July 26th inclRound 2 Thursday, July 30th to Sunday, August 2nd inclQualifier Quarter Final Friday, August 14th to Sunday, August 16th inclQualifier Semi- Final Thursday, August 20th to Sunday, August 23rd inclQualifier Final Friday, September 4th Semi Final Saturday, September 12th to Sunday, September 13th inclFinal Sunday, October 4th

M & P Street Lighting Junior Football ChampionshipRound 1 Saturday & Sunday, August 22/23 Rd 1 Qualifier 1 Saturday & Sunday, August 29/30Rd 2 Qualifier 2 Saturday, September 5Semi Final Sat & Sun, September 19/20Final Saturday, October 10

McGurk Chartered Architects Senior Hurling ChampionshipQuarter Final Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th July inclSemi Final Saturday & Sunday, August 8/9Final Sunday August 30

The Old Thatch Inn Feile na nÓgRound 1 February 22Round 2 March 1Round 3 March 8Round 4 March 29Semi Finals April 19Final Monday May 4th

T Mackle Feile na nGaelRound 1 March 15Round 2 March 22Round 3 April 5Round 4 April 12Semi Finals April 26Final Sunday May 10th

DATES FORYOUR DIARY

DJ Print Seán Larkin CupRound 1 Friday, March 20; Round 2 Friday, March 27; Semi Final Saturday, April 4; Final Saturday, June 6th

DJ Print Dean McGlinchey CupRound 1Saturday, March 14; Semi Final Saturday, March 21; Final Friday, April 3

DJ Print Graham CupRound 1 Saturday, February 14; Semi Final Saturday, February 21; Final Saturday, March 7th

DJ Print Dr Kerlin CupRound 1 Saturday, April 4; Semi Final Saturday, June 6; Final Sunday, June 14th

DJ Print James O’Hagan CupRound 1 Saturday, March 14; Semi Final Saturday, March 21; Final Saturday, April 4th

DJ Print Neal Carlin CupRound 1 Saturday, February 7; Round 2 Saturday, February 14; Semi Final Saturday, February 21;Final Friday, March 5th Owenbeg 4G

DJ Print Hughes McElwee CupRound 1 Sunday, February 15; Round 2 Sunday, February 22; Semi Final Saturday, February 28;Final Saturday, June 13th

DJ Print Carlin Duffy CupyRound 1 Sunday, February 15; Round 2 Sunday, February 22; Semi Final Saturday, February 28;Final Sunday, June 14th


SPECIALIST JOINERY GROUP:Specialist Joinery Group has grown from a small team of 10 people to one of Ireland’s premiere manufacturers of bespoke joinery and fitted furniture. Employing over 100 local people, SJG deliver projects around the world from a state of the art 80,000 sq ft manu-facturing facility in County Derry. Listed amongst their many clients are Aer Lingus, Bank Of Ireland and British Midland.

H&A MECHANICAL SERVICES:Established in 1993, H&A have grown from a payroll of 6 people to an employee base of over 300 people. From a core discipline in mechanical services, H&A have diversified into new areas including building works, refurbishment, and renewable energy. During this pe-riod, H&A’s client base has widened considerably throughout Ireland, with commercial and Industrial projects to blue chip companies and a variety of government schemes.

O’NEILLS:A 100% Irish owned Company, proud of their Irish heritage, O’Neills have extensive manufac-turing plants in Strabane, Co. Tyrone and Dublin, employing over 560 people. In the last forty years the Company has expanded considerably and is now a major supplier across a wide range of Sports. Champions currently wear O’Neills garments across a wide range of sports including Gaelic Games, Soccer, Rugby, Boxing, Athletics and Special Olympic Athletes.

M&L CONTRACTS: M&L Contracts Ltd was formed in 1980 by Michael Lynch & Laurence O’Kane and has continued to be an independent and privately owned company. M&L Contracts Ltd offers a complete industrial service including steel fixing, concrete reinforcing, formwork and finish-ing concrete. Over 30 years experience makes sure each project is well managed, on time and within budget.

OUR WEE CLUB: Our Wee Club understands the financial overheads and pressures faced by all GAA clubs. Our Wee Club will help generate and advise every club on potential revenue sources and increasing revenue potential, wanting clubs to realise the potential that this will bring to their clubs in terms of financial avenue. We help clubs invest in merchandising your club products for your club so that your club member can support their club.

M&P STREET LIGHTING: A local company, M&P Street lighting undertake lighting contracts for numerous councils and private sector firms.

OAKLEAF RESTAURANT: Oakleaf Restaurant is located at the foot of the mighty Glenshane Pass, on route from Belfast to Derry City. This is a family run business, established almost 12 years ago. Recently refur-bished, this licensed restaurant welcomes families of all ages, the new extension also allows to cater for large parties, coach parties, birthday parties and private functions. Only the fresh-est ingredients available are used and all sourced locally, a great meal is guaranteed.

McGURK ARCHITECTS: McGurk Chartered Architects Ltd provides a full professional architectural service for both private and public sectors in the UK. Services include: Architecture, Planning & Development, Project Management, Project Management, 3D computer modeling, interior design, and sustainable design. With offices in Magherafelt, Cookstown and Belfast, our sectors include sport & leisure, healthcare, education, residential master planning and commercial/retail developments.

LINK IT LOGISTICS:Based in Toomebridge, with an office in Central Europe, Link IT Logistics is a rapidly expand-ing specialist logistics company providing innovative, professional and efficient transportation of high-value telecommunications and high tech products throughout Europe. Link IT Logis-tics is dedicated to understanding customer requirements in order to provide a comprehen-sive, dedicated, tailored transport solution.

BRIAN MULLAN & SON:Brian Mullan and his son Brian Og are producers of high quality beef and lamb for domestic and export markets. They have agricultural holdings in Limavady, Coleraine and Ringsend. They also breed and sell pure breed registered Charolais cattle.

GLENSHANE COACH HIRE: Glenshane Coach Hire Company are a long established travel company, who can sort out all your Coach and Bus requirements. What ever your travel plans – sporting events, golf tours, holidays, hen and stage parties, and even the school run; we’re here to make your journey an affordable, trouble free experience. Our fleet includes VIP 53 and 49 seaters, as well as 21,29 and 31 seaters, all fitted with Sat Nav and seatbelts as standard. Our experienced drivers will deliver you safely and in style.

T.MACKLE BUILDING SUPPLIES: Operating in Toomebridge and surrounding areas, T. Mackle has been trading for more than 60 years, providing general hardware and building supplies to the local area. Our building merchants in Toomebridge have extensive knowledge on our vast product range, and are always happy to help you with any product queries. We’re here to help you get all the tools you need, for all kind of building projects. We serve: Toomebridge, Magherafelt, Ballymena, Antrim and Cookstown

THE OLD THATCH INN: The Old Thatch Inn is one of the oldest pub restaurants in Northern Ireland. At the Old Thatch Inn, Castledawson service is personal but informal; our staff are professional yet unpretentious. This family owned business offers warmth and hospitality which appeals to those of you who appreciate the finer things in life and who prefer to enjoy them in your own way. This quaint pub/restaurant is a perfect location to enjoy our entertainment in front of an open fire. The Old Thatch Inn offers regular sessions of traditional Irish and country music.

IMAC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT:Offering a depth and breadth of resources unsurpassed in the industry, IMAC Facilities Management Ireland Ltd provides comprehensive facility management services to corporate facilities owners and users nationwide. An acknowledged leader in the field, IMAC Facilities Management has built a reputation for maintaining cost-efficient operations while continu-ously improving the level and quality of service

DJ PRINT LTD:DJ Print is an established company with over twenty years experience in the print industry and offers a complete ‘concept to print’ package to small, medium and large clients both lo-cally and nationally. Services include Commercial Print & Design, Full Colour Digital Printing, Wide Format Colour Printing, Display Products, and laminating and mounting.

EVERMORE RENEWABLE ENERGY:Evermore Renewable Energy are currently constructing an £80m biomass renewable power plant at Derry Port and Harbour, Lisahally, County Derry. The plant is the first of its kind on the island of Ireland, and is expected to power 25,000 homes and businesses across the North-West. The Evermore plant, which will create 18 full-time jobs once it’s in operation, will be the largest renewable energy project in the North of Ireland.

TAILORED FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS: TFS specialise in providing high quality personal advice on many aspects of wealth manage-ment, advising clients of widely differing financial resources and of all ages. Additionally, we assist businesses in the increasingly complex area of corporate financial planning, providing guidance on pensions, protection for directors, key employees or shareholders, tax reliefs and aspects of exit strategy planning.

SPORTSWORLD:From their premises on Rainey Street, Magherafelt, Sportsworld are an established provider of clothing, including playing and training kit, equipment and accessories to all sporting codes, as well as PE and leisurewear for schools. Sportsworld are proud supporters of many local sporting clubs, and this is reflected by their many sponsorship initiatives.

PAT DEVINE HOMES:Pat Devine Homes have been involved in the construction indusry since 1981. Most projects have been private developments across the North-West, including Derry, Coleraine and Castledawson. More recently the focus has been on private housing schemes. Pat Devine Homes are proud sponsor of Derry hurling competitions.

EUEU

Technical DeliveriesLink it Logistics EU

www.mackleshardware.co.uk

T MACKLE

GLENSHANE- COACH HIRE -

tailored �nancial solutions

BA Mullan& Son

DERRY GAA ARE INDEBTED TO ALL OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT


All persons entering Celtic Park, Derry are admitted, subject to the following Ground Regulations and to the Rules and Regula-tions of the Gaelic Athletic Association.Entry to the ground shall be deemed to con-stitute unqualified acceptance of all these Rules and Regulations.Any person who fails to comply with these Ground Regulations may be refused entry or removed from the Grounds.•Fireworks, smoke canisters, gas horns, bot-tles, glasses, cans, flags, banners, poles and other similar articles or containers including anything which may be used as a weapon, are

not permitted in the stadium.•The consumption of alcohol Is not permitted within the Grounds and spectators are not permitted to bring alcohol into the stadium.•The unauthorised climbing of any structure, wails or buildings or seating in the Ground is strictly forbidden.•Unnecessary noise such as that from the use of radio sets, gas-horns and behaviour likely to cause confusion or nuisance of any kind, including foul and abusive language, is not permitted in any part of the Ground.•Under no circumstances is it permitted to throw any objects on the pitch.

•Unauthorised persons are not permitted to enter upon the field of play at any time be-fore, during or after the game.•The Ground Management reserve the right to refuse admission or to eject any person who refuses to be searched where such a search Is deemed necessary.•A person may not obstruct a gangway, stair-well or circulation area at any time.•All persons on entering the Ground are re-minded of their obligation to ensure that their behaviour does not present a danger of fire or other occurrence to anyone using the premises. •The Ground Management reserve the right for its servants or agents to remove from the ground any person who does not com-ply with the Ground Regulations or whose presence in the ground could reasonably be construed as constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to other spectators.First Aid—Provided from First Aid Location as shown on Map or on site Ambulance as appropriateLost Children-All appropriate announce-ments will be made over the PA System

PATRONS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH STEWARDS AT ALL TIMES

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proudly presents

Las Vegas Casino NightSeán De Burca Suite, Owenbeg Stadium

Friday 27th MarchPre-games reception 7.00pm | Casino games from 8.00pm

Tickets

£20

NFL Derry V Kerry In Bellaghy 2009 photo Margaret McLaughlin

With November 2015 marking the official 10th Anniversary of Club Derry, the Oak Leaf County’s fundraising arm will kick off activities for the year on Friday 27th March with a novel evening’s entertainment by bringing the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the Derry GAA headquarters at Owenbeg.

A “Las Vegas Fun Casino” night will mark the first official event in the recently opened Sean De Burca Suite, named in memory of Claudy’s Johnny Burke, who was instrumental in securing the lands at Owenbeg where Derry GAA now call “home”.

Those attending will be treated to a light buffet upon arrival, before moving upstairs to pit their wits against the “Vegas” themed tables for an evening of lighthearted entertainment, with the opportunity to win one of many prizes that will be on offer.

Tickets are priced at £20, which includes refreshments and a few hundred dollars of “Fun money” to get you started.

Tickets available from any member of the Club Derry Committee or call 07802 844737 / 07968 065417 / 0772 478 4000

Further details are available on www.derrygaa.ie

30 Allianz Football League 2015 Division 1, Round 2

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