Messages

Why did Owenkillew (Gortin/Greencastle) split in the 1980's. is history repeating itself?

I had always assumed that Greencastle formed on their own in the late 60's from what was previously Mountfield?

[unless they can point to a future path of sufficient numbers to field consistently & competively on their own and a conveyor belt of players capable of keeping Gortin in senior football then its hard to know if there's justification to split]

very short sighted, if all of a sudden there's a decent group at one age and parents want to go on their own..the baloney amalgamation appears on the outset to have been a roaring success, with both senior teams benefitting..glenelly not be far away soon from promotion
I know the likes of Doiri Oga met with Badoney to get an understanding of how there's worked
Doiri Oga seems to be going well too, though Im sure it will have its challenges also

could a second team not be entered at certain age groups if numbers are bigger than usual?

Gortin needs to ask themselves what's better
amalgamated team at g1 or g2 bringing through good seniors or scraping team in g3-4 fulfilling fixtures

unless they can point to a future path of sufficient numbers to field consistently & competively on their own and a conveyor belt of players capable of keeping Gortin in senior football then its hard to know if there's justification to split

Would a simple interrogation of primary school enrolment data in the area provide such an indication of likely future trends re numbers?

[they want their children to play for gortin only]

All not well in Gortin. Full Committee stepped away!

They terminated the link with Glenelly against previous agreements between the two clubs. Didn't sit well with a lot within Gortin.

From what I hear it's the opposite. A group of parents totally against the link with glenelly and have forced the committee out because of it

they want their children to play for gortin only

Where they playing for Glenelly sides at underage level?

[Michael O'Neill (Ardboe)]

Anyone any idea who is on the panel but not in the 26?

League Panel (36)
Shea O'Hare (Ardboe)
Michael O'Neill (Ardboe)
Lorcan McGarrity (Carrickmore)
Niall Devlin (Coalisland)
Padraig Hampsey (Coalisland)
Michael McKernan (Coalisland)
Brian Kennedy (Derrylaughan)
Ronan Cassidy (Donaghmore)
Nathan McCarron (Dromore)
Peter Teague (Dromore)
Conall Devlin (Dungannon)
Ben Cullen (Edendork)
Conn Kilpatrick (Edendork)
Darren McCurry (Edendork)
Niall Morgan (Edendork)
Darragh Canavan (Errigal Ciaran)
Ruairi Canavan (Errigal Ciaran)
Peter Harte (Errigal Ciaran)
Joe Oguz (Errigal Ciaran)
Cormac Quinn (Errigal Ciaran)
Mark Bradley (Killyclogher)
Michael Rafferty (Killyclogher)
Aodhan Donaghy (Loughmacrory)
Cathal Donaghy (Loughmacrory)
Eoin McElholm (Loughmacrory)
Oisin O'Kane (Loughmacrory)
Aidan Clarke (Omagh)
Conor Meyler (Omagh)
Cathal McShane (Owen Roes)
Frank Burns (Pomeroy)
Kieran McGeary (Pomeroy)
Rory Brennan (Trillick)
Ciaran Daly (Trillick)
Matthew Donnelly (Trillick)
Liam Gray (Trillick)
Sean O'Donnell (Trillick)

Other who were involved prior to NFL:
Conor Owens (Beragh)
Tiernan Quinn (Coalisland)
Ben Gormley (Dungannon)
Dalaigh Jones (Dungannon)
Cormac Donnelly (Galbally)
Tarlach Quinn (Moortown)
Steve Donaghy (Moy)
Richard Donnelly (Trillick)

There is no London in Tyrone and there are no Andy Merrigan's in Tyrone either.

I know an Andrew Merrigan from Donemana works in the civil service. Goes by Andy. Always solid for a Last Man Standing entry

Cuts coming this week, cutting the panel from 45 to 35. A development panel also being created with about 15 players on it that will be a mix of players coming out of U20 and not ready for Senior panel yet and Intermediate and Junior players.

Do you still get the gear, the boots and the gloves if you are cut before the league?

[Has the art of meeting someone first, in a natural setting and developing a friendship/courtship through shared interests and conversation gone altogether?]

I'd have some serious questions for the fellas that are inviting someone they have never met before to an awards night or a wedding. Especially with some of the over elaborate excuses provided. Surely a week in, they have to meet in person, and if you don't then move on. You win some you lose some. Next please. What sort of idiots are out there?

Anyone that believes that shit on dating sites is a balloon and deserves to get what's coming, or in these cases, not coming..

Has the art of meeting someone first, in a natural setting and developing a friendship/courtship through shared interests and conversation gone altogether?

I'm not knocking the many uses I'm sure it has for the 'casual' hook ups it may provide, but I'd question the longevity of those relationships 

I know a girl who struggles to meet people/ strike up conversations on a night out. According to her its more difficult than it was ten years ago, sign of the times/youth.   

I had my own apprehensions on the long term success rate of tinder dates and said so to my work colleagues one time.  One of them proceeded to tell me she met her husband on tinder, so there are proper success stories for those that are there for more than a fumble. 

My view on your doll is that she has serious mental health problems and her family need to get her help big time. 

Another gargle there please barkeep

I'd have some serious questions for the fellas that are inviting someone they have never met before to an awards night or a wedding. Especially with some of the over elaborate excuses provided. Surely a week in, they have to meet in person, and if you don't then move on. You win some you lose some. Next please. What sort of idiots are out there?

Anyone that believes that shit on dating sites is a balloon and deserves to get what's coming, or in these cases, not coming..

Has the art of meeting someone first, in a natural setting and developing a friendship/courtship through shared interests and conversation gone altogether?

I'm not knocking the many uses I'm sure it has for the 'casual' hook ups it may provide, but I'd question the longevity of those relationships 

Crazy how some of these lads could McFaul for this catfishing. Months and months of messaging with no prospect of ever actually meeting and they allow themselves to be fooled numerous times.  They almost deserve to be catfished for such crazy behaviour

[Tommy Bloomer]

Senior / Division 1

Ardboe - Barry Dillon
Carrickmore - Noel Slane/Ciaran McBride
Derrylaughan - Paddy Bradley
Donaghmore  -
Dromore - Jason Reilly, Stefan Deery
Dungannon -
Edendork - Brian McGuckin
Errigal Ciaran -
Galbally - Gavin Mcgilly
Gortin - Kevin McCullagh, Nigel McCarron and Diarmuid McNulty
Killyclogher -
Loughmacrory -
Moortown -
Omagh - Owen Devine
Pomeroy - Paul Bradley
Trillick - Richard Thornton

Intermediate / Division 2
Aghaloo -
Aghyaran - Ricey McMenamin
Beragh - Conor Gormley and Damian Leonard
Clonoe -  Kevin Madden
Coalisland - Damian O'Hagan, Peter Herron & Peter Donnelly
Drumquin - Darren Mullan, Declan Armstrong and Stevie Ferguson
Eglish - Colm Bradley
Fintona - Martin Greene
Greencastle - Sean Pol Harte & Emmett Hackett
Kildress - Sean Murtagh & Philip McKenna
Killeeshil -
Moy -
Naomh Eoghan -
Owen Roes - Barry Tracey/Johny Lafferty
Rock - Adrian Nugent / Ronan Murphy
Stewartstown - Conor Bayne

Junior / Division 3

Augher - Tommy Bloomer
Brackaville -
Brocagh -
Castlederg -
Clann na nGael - Ben McGuckin
Clogher - Mark Donnelly and Leo Meenan
Cookstown - Jason Quinn, Barry Hughes
Derrytresk - Kyle Coney
Donaghmore III -
Drumragh - Shane Cleary
Errigal Ciaran III -
Eskra -
Glenelly -
Killyman -
Strabane -
Tattyreagh - Mickey Rea
Urney - Finbar O'Neill

I'd have some serious questions for the fellas that are inviting someone they have never met before to an awards night or a wedding. Especially with some of the over elaborate excuses provided. Surely a week in, they have to meet in person, and if you don't then move on. You win some you lose some. Next please. What sort of idiots are out there?

[Will Michael O'Neill get game time?]

Interested to see how Niall Devlin comes on this year. Spoke well on niblock podcast about bulking up and reaching inter county level. Forgot about him in my side. Hope Teague makes an impact.

Will Michael O'Neill get game time? Hopefully young players get game time as well

[work as a manger in the years ahead."]

Rory Gallagher has accused the GAA president Jarlath Burns of trying to sabotage his career after he intervened in his potential appointment at Naas GAA.

In a statement to BBC News NI, Mr Gallagher said Mr Burns' actions were "unprecedented" and "misguided" and threatened legal action if the remarks were not retracted.

The former Derry county football manager was offered a coaching role with Naas but the offer was then withdrawn after details of the appointment were made public at the weekend.

It later emerged Mr Burns had contacted the club to express his concern at the proposed appointment.

Mr Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager in 2023 just weeks before the team played in the Ulster Senior Football Final.

It followed allegations of abuse made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher, which he denied.

When news of the appointment at Naas appeared in the media, the association's president spoke to the Naas club chairman before sending an email which was then read at a meeting of party officers at which it was decided not to proceed with Mr Gallagher's appointment.

In the email, which has been seen by the BBC, Mr Burns said he felt compelled to share his perspective given the "potential implications for Naas GAA and the wider association".

He said decisions made by the club "reverberate far beyond your immediate community" and send a "message about the values we uphold and the standards we set for our members and supporters".

He also warned of the implications for the GAA's Game Changer Initiative which was launched in November to challenge the "social and cultural norms that contribute to domestic, sexual and gender based violence".
Jarlath Burns has grey short hair and wears glasses with a grey frame. He is wearing a grey suit, white shirt and burgundy tie.
Image caption,

Mr Burns said employing Mr Gallagher could attract negative attention and criticism for the club

After Mr Gallagher resigned as Derry manager, he was "temporarily debarred" by the GAA in September 2023 when an independent panel was asked to investigate the claims made by his estranged wife.

Mr Gallagher successfully challenged that debarment in February 2024 and a statement from his solicitors in September said there was no "legal impediment" to prevent him returning to a senior role in the game.

"I have engaged with every procedure available to me. The PPS have issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer," Mr Gallagher added in his statement to the BBC.

"Despite having engaged with due process and procedure, it seems clear that the president has now opted to take matters into his own hands.

"It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a license for presidential intervention."

In the email to Naas GAA, Mr Burns said the "appointment of Rory Gallagher given the allegations that have been made public, risks undermining the principles of the Game Changer Initiative and the positive work being done across the GAA".

He added: "The controversy surrounding his personal life has created significant division and concern within the wider GAA community.

"Such a decision by Naas GAA could have far reaching consequences."

Mr Burns added the appointment would likely "polarise opinion" and create unnecessary tension within the club and he questioned the "confusing message" it would send to younger members.

In conclusion the GAA president said he had "no authority to dictate club decisions" but he had a "responsibility to advocate" for what he believed was in the best interests of the association and its members.

"By choosing not to proceed with this appointment you will be making a statement about the principles that define Naas GAA," he added.

Mr Gallagher has called on the GAA president to withdraw his remarks.

"I have never asked for sympathy or support. I do however ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted," he said.

"The president should lead by example and accept when he has overstepped the mark.

"Absent such a retraction, I will have no other alternative but to take legal action to cure the irreparable damage done to me and my family in my ability to continue to work as a manger in the years ahead."


Surely he means volunteer?

[the stories I could tell!]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c390914zkd9o

Disappointing but at the same time not surprising.

Parents and Principal both supported the move to integration yet the Minister believes he knows best.

Big new school buildings there and looking like they're struggling to get bums on seats.

St Columbanus would have felt the squeeze if they'd gotten the go-ahead, but Givans rejection tells you all you need to know about where his heads at.

He may have a point though, the "integrated" school might still be much the same, I doubt if they would be impactful on the MacRory Cup.

Fúck McCrory cups, Mageean Cups are more important 

There is a substantial catholic population in the North Down area mostly serviced by OLSPK as the main selective Grammar which has a very high bar in terms of selection and the non selective St Columbanus College, so there might be demand in there for a Grammar school which can take the run off from OLSPK.

I kinda agree also on one point that if these schools want to go integrated they need to do so in a meaningful way, offer Irish language, Gaelic games etc etc and not just lip service.

I've had some first hand experience of Integrated schools in the primary sector. Very much a one sided affair in my experience with no Gaelic, no Irish etc. Even parental complaints, upheld by the school, when a teacher showed up in a Gaelic jersey for a sponsored walk. So much for acceptance and respect for all in an integrated society eh?

Integrated education in theory is brilliant - in practice its not there imo.
We removed our kids from the school at the time as it was very much favouring one side of the community in terms of staffing, teaching and tolerance.
I was actually on the Board of Governors and Mrs. Tbrick was a teacher in the school - the stories I could tell!

Don't stop there man for God sake!

The question I have for Naas is this. They are going for 5 in a row in Kildare and have the same manager on board this year. Surely they are good enough to have another successful year without the need to pay for Gallagher to come in, along with the negative publicity this would involve?

They probably think RG will give them an extra push for Leinster/AI honours. 

Whilst they have been beaten by each of the 4 previous Leinster winners bar a 3 point defeat to newcomers Cuala this year, they haven't really come close. 7, 9 and 7 point defeats

The question I have for Naas is this. They are going for 5 in a row in Kildare and have the same manager on board this year. Surely they are good enough to have another successful year without the need to pay for Gallagher to come in, along with the negative publicity this would involve?