GLENFARNE G.A.A. CLUB 1979

By Gerry Finneran

Although it is only two years since the Glenfarne G.A.A. Club was re-organised late in 1977, the past year, 1979, must surely be regarded as one of the best and most successful years ever in the history of the G.A.A. in our area. I have many reasons for saying this, even though no major honours came our way on the playing field. The fact that more teams than ever represented our Club on the playing fields of Leitrim, and that we fulfilled all our fixtures is indeed success in itself. 1979 was also the year in which we acted as hosts to the touring Fordham Shamrocks GAA Club from New York.

Our Club members also played a big part in the successful running of the Annual Local Gala Week in August, and the now popular Annual All-Star football games in June. For the first time ever we joined Ciste Gael and here we have made very good progress, and later in the year we entered for the A.I.B. “GAA Club of the Year” award. The provision of dressing rooms etc. at our playing field and the successful negotiations wfth the Forestery Department for the acquisition ol additional ground to enable us to increase the size of our pitch were more of the highlights during the year.

Glenfarne GAA Club like many more clubs in County Leitrim is a very small and rural one – in fact we are only half of a parish, Manorhamilton being the other half. With teams in all the neighbouring parishes it means that we are left with a very small area from which to pick our players. Despite this handicap we still managed to field teams in the Under 12, U-16, Minor, U-21 and Junior during the year. Our Junior team played over forty games during 1979, including Championship, League, challenge and tournament games. I suppose the best games of the year were the two important games against Melvin Gaels. In the League game played in Ballyshannon the Kinlough men had just one point to spare over our lads after a very exciting game. In the first round championship game played in Drumshanbo the Melvin Gaels side were very lucky to take both points after a Glenfarne goal was disallowed by the referee. Melvin Gaels won this game by two points, and the disallowed goal has been the subject of many a discussion here since that day.

Our juniors took part in many challenge and tournament games during the year, winning the Kiltyclogher Festival Cup and the Holywell (Belcoo) Tournament. The Under 21 side took part in the County Championship for the first time this year. They had a good first round win over Kiltubrid but had to fight very hard to overcome Carrigallen in the second round. However, our lads were well and truly beaten by Ballinamore, the eventual outright winners, in the quarter final. Our other under age teams Minor and U-16 also fulfilled all their fixtures, but it was our under 12 boys who really stole the show. The U-12 League was this year played on a home and away double round system with the two top teams playing off in the final. As the competition progressed and excitement ran high, Glenfarne and Melvin Gaels had to playoff for a second place for the right to meet Drumkeerin in the final. This game our lads won but were beaten by Drumkeerin in the decider. Our congratulations to Drumkeerin who went on to win the County Final.

One of the highlights of the year was the visit to Glenfarne of the Fordham Shamrocks Under 16 football club and players from New York. The party arrived on Wednesday, 25th July and left again on Friday 27th. While they were with us they played the local under 16 team in St. Mary’s Park – the result being a win for the visitors. As this was the first time that a team from the USA came and played in Glenfarne, we are very grateful to the Fordham Shamrocks Club for providing us with this honour. Indeed or thanks for their visit are mainly due to the Shamrocks Vice-President and trainer of their under age teams, Glenfarne born John McDermott. John is son of Mrs. McDermott and the late Michael McDermott. The late Michael McDermott who was better known as “Michael Ambrose” was one of the greatest footballers ever to wear the black and white jersey of Glenfarne. John’s brother Seamus is a playing member of the present Glenfarne Junior side. On the Shamrocks team that played in Glenfarne and the other venues throughout Ireland were Johns two sons Kevin and Sean. Sean was also team captain.

The following are the people who look after the affairs of the GAA in our Area:

Chairman – Larry McHugh
Vice-Chairman – Jack Cullen
Secretary – Gerry Finneran
Park Fund Treasurer – Jim Clancy
Club Treasurer – Kilian Burns
Fiance Committee – Milo Travers, Gerry Keany, Gerry Mulvey, Michael Keaney and Tom White
Park Committee – The Officers together with Hubert McMorrow, Seamus McDermott, Tommy McManus, Seamus O’Rourke, Joe McPartlin, Felix McManus, Francis McManus, Tommy McDermott, Charlie Cullen, John McGovern, John P. Clancy
Park Trustees – Frank Keaney, Hugh Clancy and Kilian Burns
Scór Committee – Mrs. T. White, N.T., Mrs. G. Finneran N.T., Mrs. S. McDermott, Gerry Finneran, Kilian Burns, Seamus McDermott, Phelim Byrne NT
Ciste Gael Organiser – Kilian Burns
Junior Team Captain – Tommy McGourty
Vice-Captain – Jim Clancy
U-21 Team Captain – Francey McLoughlin
Vice-Captain – Gerry Keaney
Minor Captain- Tony McGourty
Vice-Captain – Denis McManus

Pen Pics From 1979

Seamus McDermott (Glenfarne)

Age 30, married to Bridie Duignan, Cootehall and has two children aged 3 years and 9 months. Started playing Under-16 football with Glenfarne in 1964, then played minor with Manorhamilton in 1965 when he won a county Minor League medal. He emigrated to London where he played for a short while with Matt Talbots. When he came back home to settle in his native Glenfarne, Seamus was one of the men who restarted the club in 1978. He is a member of the park committee, involved in a number of other community projects and was the team trainer in 1978 and 1979. He plays at midfield and full forward and is a strong believer in fitness and discipline in the club. Local people will define Seamus as the real inspiration and example in the club. Occupation, Maintenance Craftsman with Leitrim County Council. His wife Bridie is a keen G.AA fan.

Favourite Player: Sean Layden, R.I.P (Fenagh)
Most Difficult Opponent: Brian Moran, Aughnasheelin
Favourne Singer or Musician: Kris Kristofferson
Favourite T.V. Programme: Match of the Day

P.J. Meehan (Kiltyclogher)

Mr. GAA. himself in Kiltyclogher, aged 34, P. J. along with Gortletteragh supremo Pat Clarke who was a teacher in Kiltyclogher at the time, started a club against all the odds in 1969. P.J. had already played for Glenfarne in 1 965 and also played with Manorhamilton with whom he won a Junior League medal in 1972, Melvin Gaels and Dromahair. The club survived for two years, and was out of operation until P. J. again got the local community together in January 1978 and again reformed the club and became Chairman. He is one of the most popular club Chairmen in the county. P.J. is single and is a bus driver. The respect the players have for P.J. can be seen by the spirited performances, and sportsmanship they display on the field, especially when they are faced with more noted opposition. P.J. deserves the compliments of all Gaels in Leitrim for keeping the Association going in his area against all the odds.

Favourite Player: Hugh Smith (Sean O’Heslins)
Most Difficult Opponent: James McCabe (Cloone)
Favourite Singer, Musician or in this case Actor: Paul Newman
Favourite T.V. Programme: “Are You Being Served.”