GAA in Britain

[theticklemister]

nothing has been said this year of late. every year they feck around with a new format. i believe the one above is the best option. Yorkshire is dying on its feet, two/three clubs in lancashire are in limbo and are also suffocating

[carnaross]

St. Benedicts Harps are starting training for 2016 at Rounhegians RUFC (LS7 2AT) on Wednesday, February 24 at 7.45pm. All welcome especially any new players living in West Yorkshire who are looking to get involved.

[theticklemister]

Lancashire Senior League Preview 2016
By Lancashire PRO, Cathal Harkin

League Structure: (Play each other twice, semi-final: 1 v 4, 2 v 3)

Teams: Oisins St.Brendans, St.Peters, John Mitchels

The Senior League has been whittled down to 4 Senior teams with St.Lawrences making their way to Division 2 this year. Although this leaves our county with a small number of Senior clubs, it makes it much more competitive. Similar how the GAA changed the format of the Hurling League in recent seasons to procure tight games; this will have the same affect. No team can afford to take their foot off the pedal in any game if they want to qualify for the final; there can be doubt about it, this league is excellent preparation for the Championship.

Oisins enter this league as favourites. They won Pennine League Division 2 last year. They already had a huge squad, which is essential to maintain a high standard in Britain throughout the course of the season; but they have added to this significantly. Many of these players have been Ulster imports. St.Brendans and St.Peters however, have not been found wanting in this department either. They have been much busier this year compared to previous years, a result of fear of how Oisins have become the number 1 team in Manchester. John Mitchels have yet to return to team training after yet another marathon season. They will not take the league to seriously, but use to be ready for the championship. There are a lot of miles on the clock for the Merseysiders and they have not added to the squad in the same manner as their competitors during the closed season. Barry Morris is a wily operator however, and he will have the Liverpool men there or thereabouts at the end of the league season.

Overall, the league promises to be very intriguing. Oisins will want to main their level of consistency they have shown over recent seasons, St.Brendans are capable of beating anyone on their day, St.Peters will want to get back to where they think they should be; while John Mitchels will likely want to keep themselves ticking over until the latter stages of the league.

If Paddy Power was giving odds for the Lancashire League 2016..............................

Oisins Evs
John Mitchels 11/8
St.Brendans 4/1
St.Peters 8/1

Overall Predicted League Winners: Oisins

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oisins
Manager: Niall Farren (Derry)

Star Players: Fergue Riley(Tyrone), Ciaran Harper (Tyrone), PJ Magee (Donegal), Cathal Murphy (Laois), Gerry McCaughey (Tyrone)

Squad for 2016:
Micheal Donnelly, Damien Fitzpatrick, Michael Comney, Shaun Og Monteith, Fergus Riley, Rory McLaughlin, Ryan Devine, Paul Noone , Niall Donnelly, Gerard McCaughey, Ciaran Harper
PJ McGee, Chrissy O'Connor, Tiarnan O'Hagan, Cathal Murphy, Conor Morrisey, Maurice Lynch ,Ciaran Dunne, Johnny Garrity, Fintan McCloskey, Aidan Carberry, Seamus Kerlin, Stevie McCrory, Thomas Harkin, Peter O'Connell, Eamon Breslin, Nichloas Rafferty, Conor Teague, Ryan Kelly, David Doherty

New signings:
Thomas McMenamin (Donegal), Mel McCaughey (Tyrone), Deaglan O'Hagan (Antrim), Brian Gillespie (Donegal), Christian McKeown (Down), Olan Coyle (Dublin), Dairmuid Pepper (Armagh), Niall Mullen (Roscommon), Luke McAllister (Derry), Shane Connelley (Galway),

Out the door:
Gavin McCarthy (Cork)

Fresh from another cup success as recently as Sunday where they won the Pennine League Division 1 (knockout), Oisins take to this league campaign in great shape. They will hope that another league success will get them ready for championship victory in September.

Oisins have signed numerous players over the winter, and this includes Antrim Senior, St.Brigids' player, Deaglan O'Hagan. They won all before them last year, but the main prize of the Senior Championship still eluded them. When it came to the crunch against an experienced John Mitchels team, they froze. If you are an optimist however, you could point last year as an actual success. They won the Pennine League Division 1 (when it was a league structure) and coasted to Junior League and Championship success, as well as that, the thirds' Championship win and the Ladies' annexation of the All-Britain Junior; were welcome additions.

Oisins developed the strategic game plan of defending in numbers and breaking at speed last year. Their full back line can be found out on occasions, so this ploy may have been self-induced. Nethertheless, it has worked a treat. The game plan was implemented in the Senior team as well as the Junior team, this indicates two things. One, they have been getting huge numbers at training which helps them apply this plan during games; and two, the players have obviously been listening to their managers and there is a proper coaching structure in place.

Physically, Oisins dwarf every other team in the country; they must use this to their advantage again this year. They have a strong, compact defence, with excellent wing-backs in Ryan Devlin and Rory McLaughlin, to help them drive forward. Dead balls are not a problem as they have a plethora of free takers; but their Achilles' Heel is their lack of help in the scoring department from play for Cathal Murphy. Ciaran Harper has the potential to be the best forward in the county, but often floats in-and-out of games, while PJ Magee and Chrissy O'Connor need to get on the scoresheet more often. On the plus side, a fit-again Tiarnan O'Hagan will help up front this year. Niall Farren must address this problem to achieve their ultimate goal.

Overall, Oisins have the best squad in Lancashire, possibly the best outside of London. What cost them championship victory in the past has been their lack of experience, they have gained that over the last couple of years however, so there can be no excuse this time around. They can add to this experience by having a commanding league in preparation for the championship.
They should regain their league title this year.

St.Peters
Manager: Barry McGeehan (Derry)

Star Players: Gary Morris, Kevin Lenigan, Dessie O'Malley, Eoin Meaney

Squad for 2016:
Joe Sheehan, Jason Hurst, Roy McCarten, Olly Weir, Paidi O'Shea, Connor Boylan, Gary Morris, Ronan Gallagher, Kevin Lenigan, James Quinn, Liam Coyne, Niall Fitzpatrick, Eoin Meaney, Dessie O Malley, Jack O'Docherty, Shane Gallagher ,Kevin Carney

New signings:
Ryan Ingram (Fermanagh), Conor Duffy (Tyrone), Cathal OhUallachain (Dublin), Mark Gordon (Wexford), Oran Reynolds (Armagh), Stephen Clancy (Offaly), James McCrory (Antrim), Anthony Brennan (Mayo), Christopher Hegarty (Donegal)

Out the door:
None

In recent seasons St.Peters have fallen to the wayside. Of all the four teams in the hunt for league honours, they would be the rank outsiders. In 2011, they were All-Britain champions and the big rivalry within the county was between themselves and John Mitchels. Oisins however, have taken this mantle off them. Their recent final hammering from Oisins may point to the fact that nothing has changed this year, but early season performances and results should be taken with a pinch of salt. On their day, they are capable of mixing it with the best, proven by the 1 point defeat they suffered at Greenbank in the league last year.

They possess three of the best players in the league in Gary Morris, Kevin Lenigan and Dessie O'Malley and have proven coaches who have taken them to championship success before within in their ranks.
Come the semi-final of the championship last year however, they did not have a huge pick and were well beaten by a John Mitchels side who were far from their best on the day.

St.Peter's will want to buck the trend this year and get back to winning ways, unfortunately it may be a longer road than they might believe.

John Mitchels
Manager: Barry Morris (Fermanagh)

Star Players: Paddy Mulligan (Kildare), Paraic McGuirk (Monaghan), Matty Deeney (Donegal), Francis Cassidy (Antrim), Sean Rice (Monaghan)

Squad for 2016:
Matty Deeney, Alan Brown, David McTeggart, Niall McShane, Sean Rice, Paraic McGuirk, Marty Carey, John McDermott, Denis O'Neill, Colly Murphy, Francis Cassidy, Craig Owen, Paddy Mulligan, Edward Jackson, Aidan Kearney, John O'Hagan, Conal McGlade, Rory Sharvin, Peter Farrelly, Sean Clarke, Mark Sweeney, Daniel McGonigle, Paddy Murphy, Michael Molloy, Rory Carty, Sean Carty, Darren Healy, Michael Mooney, Hugh Ferguson, Aidan McCartan, Michael Higgins

New signings:
Paudie Mullan (Derry), Darren Russell (Kerry), John Dorgan (Cork), Aidan Slattery (Clare), David Loftus (Mayo), Paul Connon (Westmeath), Luke Kelly (Donegal),

Out the door:
Alan Murray (Cork) , Chris Feeney (Roscommon)

Three years on the trot of championship victory; questions asked of them each year of repeating the feat. Easy. They come back the following year beating the rest of the county................... then country. They are a slick outfit. Rumours have it, that in the Orchard County, Crossmaglen are known as the 'John Mitchels of Armagh.'

Well another year, another campaign begins. John Mitchels have yet to take to the training field as a collective unit. They have earned this rest and will come together as the serious matter of the championship arises, but what of the league? John Mitchels got beat by 3 points in the league final last year by Oisins, but returned to gain victory in the championship final. Mitchels will see this league campaign as a stepping stone for the championship and will give their older statesmen a rest. John McDermott, Eddie Jackson, Alan Browne, and Colly Murphy can be expected to be used sparingly this year, in order for them to be ready for the league knockout stages and the championship. It is here, where their opposition might have a chance of victory. Like 97% of the transfers that enter the county each year, most of the names are unfamiliar. Therefore, it will be interesting if these new recruits can help step up to the plate and provide a wider base for Barry Morris to choose from. Last year, the news players helped play their part. The likes of Aidan Kearney and then later in the season, Rory Sharvin, Aidan McCartan and Michael Higgins, gave John Mitchels a shot in their arm. These aforementioned players can be expected to play a bigger part this time around. Mitchels had more success last year when Paddy Mulligan was closer to goals, and with the expected exclusion of the prolific Michael Molloy for another year, it is likely here he will stay. He will have to be helped in the scoring department this year and Barry Morris maybe will have to unearth another two scoring forwards if they wish to regain the All-Britain championship.

Morris and trainer Colly McMenamin will have this squad primed yet again for when the main action starts, how seriously they take the league however, will be the main question. Expect them to be disappointed though, if they lose any kind of game this year.

St.Brendans
Manager(s): Johnny Plant (Lancashire) and Brendan Grieve (Antrim)

Star Players: Stephen Sands (Down), Niall Connolly (Lancashire), Ciaran Connolly (Lancashire), Aaron Murtagh

Squad for 2016:
Nathan Plant, Michael Collins, Ryan Sweeney, Lee Gavin, Paddy Murphy, Ciaran Connolly, Stephen Sands Niall Connolly, Caolan Conroy, John Gibney, Aaron Murtagh, Liam Kelly, Colm Conroy, Stephen Rafferty, Brian Johnston, Sean McMahon , Michael Collins, Conor Beard, Conrad Tierney, Brian Sheridan, James Mulligan, Stephen Rafferty, Lee Gavin, Colm Og Crilly,

New signings:
Christopher Mullen (Down), Fergal McDonald (E myvale), Benny Marron (Down), Tommy Clarke (Mayo), Sean McMulkin (Fermanagh), Sean Houihane (Cork), Aaron McGrugan (Tyrone), Liam Connolly (Monaghan)

Out the door:
Declan Alder (Down), Fergal McDonald (Monaghan)

It's hard to believe that the Brendans used to dominate Lancashire football. During the 1970s and 1980s they annexed 13 Lancashire championships. They added two more in 1990 and '91, but their last however was in 1996. Wouldn't it be great to stop this rot, exactly 20 years later? Whisper it quietly............... but they could do it.

They were unfortunate to reach the championship final last year as they succumbed to Oisins late in the game when they could have won it. They have some fine players in the squad; with the scoring exploits of Stephen Sands, the athletic ability of the Connolly brothers and the physical attributes of the team as a whole; then they are not far away. Add to the mixture, an ever present Aaron Murtagh; then they have a very talented squad. They have been working from a small base in recent times but have added 8 new players to the squad this year, including Liam Connolly. Connolly spent last year with Monaghan outfit, Rockcorry, winning the Ulster Junior championship in the process. He will team up with his two brothers to do battle in the maroon for 2016.

On the downside, they have lost one of the finest players in the county for the last number of years, the influential goalkeeper Declan Alder. Alder has been a huge presence for Brendans as he protected their goals week in, week out; the former Down inter-county will be a huge loss.

On the whole, Brendans find it difficult to provide the level of consistency needed to mount a long league campaign. The fact that all teams will qualify for the knockout stages will be a bonus for them. If they manage to get into third place and possibly avoid an Oisins engagement in the semi-final, then they could possibly get to a final and then who knows? Definitely however, they have the talent to achieve more than they have in the last couple of years.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I HOPE YOU ENJOY ALL THE FOOTBALL AND HURLING THIS YEAR IN OUR COUNTY.
Cathal Harkin, Lancashire Gaa Pro

[redzone]

Manager of oisins is niall farren from Derry. The names rings a bell from a few years back, was he a Derry Minor captain maybe?

[theticklemister]

Manager of oisins is niall farren from Derry. The names rings a bell from a few years back, was he a Derry Minor captain maybe?

yip. he played for derry seniors twice before his leg finally gave way. Doing a great job as oisins coach and fixtures organiser in Lancashire

[laceer]

Farren won a few colleges all stars in football and hurling but his knee went at least twice and he didn't play past his early twenties. Fantastic coach-very knowledgeable.

[theticklemister]

Results from today

Lancashire League Division 1
St. PetSt. Peter's GAA Manchester OFF John Mitchels GAA Liverpool
St. St Brendan's GAA Manchester 0-12 v 1-07 Oisín C.L.G. Manchester

Pennine League Division 2
Hugh O'Neills 0-01 V 6-10 Chulainns
St. Benedicts 4-20 v 1-08 St Lawrences GAA Club Manchester

Pennine League Division 3
Oisins thirds 2-08 v 1-07 St. Mary's/St Pats
JFK 2-12 v 1-06 Brothers Pearse

[Maroon Manc]

Results from today

Lancashire League Division 1
St. PetSt. Peter's GAA Manchester OFF John Mitchels GAA Liverpool
St. St Brendan's GAA Manchester 0-12 v 1-07 Oisín C.L.G. Manchester

Pennine League Division 2
Hugh O'Neills 0-01 V 6-10 Chulainns
St. Benedicts 4-20 v 1-08 St Lawrences GAA Club Manchester

Pennine League Division 3
Oisins thirds 2-08 v 1-07 St. Mary's/St Pats
JFK 2-12 v 1-06 Brothers Pearse

You're doing a great job on the social media, not sure about your odds for the league though 

[theticklemister]

The 4/1 has dropped to 5/2 lol.

Get the Irish world on Wednesday lad.  Report on lancashire.

That's some win you had, I am at home at minute so missed the game. That Grugan boy good? Head he is a great player.

[Maroon Manc]

The 4/1 has dropped to 5/2 lol.

Get the Irish world on Wednesday lad.  Report on lancashire.

That's some win you had, I am at home at minute so missed the game. That Grugan boy good? Head he is a great player.

It was a very good game especially for this time of year. Oisins for the last few years have been in better shape this time of year then the rest of us so good to get the win. Aye, he's certainly talented.

Why aren't Lawrences in the Senior League? Will they play Senior Championship this year?

[theticklemister]

The 4/1 has dropped to 5/2 lol.

Get the Irish world on Wednesday lad.  Report on lancashire.

That's some win you had, I am at home at minute so missed the game. That Grugan boy good? Head he is a great player.

It was a very good game especially for this time of year. Oisins for the last few years have been in better shape this time of year then the rest of us so good to get the win. Aye, he's certainly talented.

Why aren't Lawrences in the Senior League? Will they play Senior Championship this year?

We have lost quite a few players this year and this division suits us.

[theticklemister]

Pennine League Division 2 Preview
by Lancashire PRO Cathal Harkin

Teams: St Lawrences GAA Club Manchester, Liverpool Wolfe Tones GAA, Cu Chullains Newcastle, Hugh O'Neill's GAA, Leeds, St. Benedicts Harps GAC

Top 2 qualify for Division Final

This is the reason the Pennine League got restructured.  Five teams with realistic chances of winning the league have been grouped together, perfect for each one of them. Two years ago, Oisins did not take Pennine League Division 1 seriously and were deservedly relegated. They then cantered through Pennine Division 2 like a Group 1 racehorse riding through the slums of Mussleburgh on a wet November day. It was that easy. This time around however, each team will feel they have a realistic chance of winning the league, but with only two teams qualifying for the final; no mistakes can be made.

St.Benedicts of Leeds and Cu Chulainns of Newcastle make their way down to Division 2, after a difficult stay in the premier division last year. They will find this a much more welcoming environment. Both teams in recent years have not performed to their once lofty standards. St.Benedicts took some heavy beatings last year in the league while they didn't win the Yorkshire Championship, which was a minor surprise. Cu Chulainns, once the All-Britain champions in 2011, beating John Mitchels of Liverpool in the final; have found last year a struggle. A major reason for this was of course due to their locality. They can't do nothing about that, most of their matches will take place in Leeds which is a 4 hour return journey, what they can do is cement a decent platform so they have something to play for come July.

Hugh O'Neills took Yorkshire by storm last year, they annexed the Senior League and Championship. If they can keep this up for another year, they will be doing well. A Pennine success this year would look great beside their domestic trophies of last year.

Two teams who are in 'transition' are the two Lancashire teams, St.Lawrences of Manchester and Liverpool's Wolfe Tones. Both have had a change of management and have lost some influential players, so it will be interesting to see how they both fare.

I feel the two teams who have dropped down Cu Chulainns and St.Benedicts, may have the best chance of making the Pennine Final. Hugh O'Neills shocked everyone last year with their double success, it will be difficult however to repeat that feat; while the Lancashire teams may take another year to get their houses in order and compete for honours.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wolfe Tones
Management: Chris Elliot (Tyrone), Alan Doherty (Louth),  Jerome Doyle (Armagh).  Sean McGoldrick (Antrim)

Star Players: Caoimhin Scanlon, Mickey Gallagher, Cristy Harkin, John Eustace

Richie Barry (Cork), Gabe Clerkin (Louth), Mickey Gallagher (Donegal), Niall Connolly (Tyrone), Cristy Harkin (Donegal), John Eustace (Wicklow), Fabien Devlin (Tyrone), Caoimhin Scanlon (Dublin) Davy Coughlan (Cork), Adam O'Hare (Antrim), Ryan Power (Derry) ,Peter Cosgrove (Monaghan), Neil Grehan (Kildare) Ryan Addis (Down), John Cleary (Tipperary), Steve Moore (Armagh), Patrick Finnerty (Mayo), Kieran Duggan (Galway), John Corley (Tyrone), James McCann (Fermanagh), Stephen Hennessey (Cork)

New signings: Patrick Shaugnessey (Galway), Colin Murphy (Dublin), Henry Halligan (Tyrone),  Michael Coleman (Donegal), Colm Wray (Tyrone), Mark Gibbons (Kildare), David Leyden (Leitrim), Niall Scullion (Derry),  Chris Fay (Antrim)

Out the door:
Nigel Grennan (Offaly), Eoin Kerr (Dubai), Paul Carey (Westmeath), Kevin McBride (Antrim), Michael Mooney (Fermanagh).

After a poor season last year for the Wolfe Tones, it's 'Back to the Future' for them. Chris Elliot returns after leaving in 2013, he teams up with former players/coaches of the Wavertree team; Jerome Doyle and St.Galls' Sean McGoldrick.  They are joined by former Louth inter-county player, Alan Doherty.

Reports coming from the camp is that training is going well and they are ready to make amends for last year. They have added 9 new players to the squad, but have lost some of their best players of recent years. Any club in Lancashire would feel the loss of Nigel Grennan, Paul Carey and Kevin McBride; all three would start in any team. Grennan was the ace marksman for the Tones up front (he once marked Alan Brogan in the 2006 Leinster final), Carey controlled play from centre-half back, while Kevin McBride was a colossus for them anywhere up the spine. Last year they were in Pennine League Division 1, after winning Division 2 the previous year, but the standard was just too high. They are however, in a great position this year to bring home some silverware this year. 

They still have the ever-dependable Cristy Harkin (well, for one more season), Monaghan's Peter Cosgrove, the influential Caomhan Scanlon and excellent defenders in John Eustace and Michael Gallagher. But herein lies the problem; of all the players named above, not one of them can play past midfield. Wolfe Tones always had problems up front and the management squad must address this if they are to succeed. Adam O'Hare, Bomber, has the potential to be the best forward in the league. He must take responsibility and be the spearhead of the Tones' attack. Others must be added.

Wolfe Tones will be in the mix for every competition this year, and will feel they have a chance of winning at least one. If they don't, they will be disappointed. Perhaps, a better gauge of their improvement are high finishes in Pennine League Division 2 and Lancashire Junior League and a good run in the championship.

Hugh O'Neills
Management: Tom Duffy

Squad for 2016
Lorcon O Hara, James Mone, Gary Kennedy, Tom Clancy, Eóin Murray, Brian Lane, Tom Duffy, Dillon Donnelly, Adam Jastak, Conor Doolin, Nicky Flanaghan, John Maguire, John Kearns, Dave Keane, John Hickey, Tom Condon, Jack Day, Ryan Small, Andy Mac Farlane, Owen O Boyle, Cathal Hughes, Peter Manton, Blaine Ruane, Darren Burke, Seán Cafferkey, Seán Egan, Jinesh Mistry, Andy Twomey, Joshua Heenan, Conor Reid, Conor Rafferty, Steve Travers, Gareth Curran, Aaron Doherty

New signings:
John Kearns (Monaghan), Andy Stevenson (Dublin), Conor Reid (Antrim), Sean Cafferkey (Europe), Sean Egan (Longford), David Durkan (Mayo).

Star Players: James Money, Owen O'Boyle, Nicky Flanaghan

After a highly successful trophy-laden 2015, Hugh O Neills are looking to compete strongly again on all fronts in 2016. The Leeds outfit clinched the Yorkshire Senior League and Championship last year, in what was one of their best ever seasons. The squad is nursing quite a few long term injuries to some senior players with Conor Doolin recently going under the knife for a long standing ankle injury. However, they hope with a blend of younger lads like Tom Clancy coming through at the end of last season and some new signings that they will have a say where the silverware ends up in the coming season.
Benedicts will come out firing to be the No.1 Leeds team, so expect a couple of tense derbies; just like last year.

St.Lawrences

Manager: Liam O'Connor (Sligo)

Squad for 2016
James Kearney, Gerry Langan, Liam O'Connor, Conor Boylan, Steve Durham,Callum Murphy, Martin Hickey, Eoin Watts, Ethan Gorman, Josh Creswell, Brian o Connor, Niall Melarkey, John Fitzpatrick, Eoin Lenehan, Chris Noone, Rory O'Donoghue, Eoin Watts, Sean Hynes, Fintain Cooper, Eamonn Murphy, Michael Grogan, Gus McEirni, Patrick Gleeson, Ciaran McFadden, George McCallion, Adrian Nash, Conor Martin, Trevor O'Grady, Dan Nolan, Liam Johnston, Eamon Hansberry, Jacob Lickness, Eoin Patterson, Joe Brayne, Dermot Costello, Sean Walsh, Dan Turley, Garbhan McManus, Mark Brennan, Michael Flannery, Mick Fitzsimmons, Luke Byrne, Mick Connolly, Conal Maskey, Tom Fox, Tom Muldoon, Justin Cleary,Garret Kellet

New signings:
Sean Hynes (Mayo), Garbhan McManus (Fermanagh),  Niall Conway (Fermanagh),

Out the door:
Chris Duffy (Dublin), Aodhan Conlon (Armagh), Graham Henry (Dublin)
Star Players: Eoin Watts (Lancashire), Conor Boylan (Monaghan), Stevie Durham (Kerry)

After 8 years in charge, St.Lawrence's stalwart, James 'Jimmy' Wray had stepped down from leading the Chorlton men. Liam O'Connor has stepped up to the plate to become player/manager for 2016.

St.Lawrences lament the loss of Martin Geraghty, who is one of the most feared forwards in the county.
His work takes him all over the country.
They also have lost former Armagh under-21 player Aidan Conlon who goes back to Cullyhanna. St.Lawrences thought they had found a new forward in the mould of Brian Colton; but they were unfortunate on this occasion. They do have Stevie Durham however, who is one of the finest midfielders there is about and young Conor Boylan who raids from half-back on a constant basis. St.Lawrences will blood more home-grown players this year as the club like to give game time to the new generation.

Na Pairsaigh finished near the top of the table in Pennine League Division 2 last year, this time, they are in a period of 'change'. Qualifying for the knockout stages of both Pennine and Junior League and a good run in the championship will count as success for them.

St.Benedicts

Management: Matthew O'Dowd, Fergal Colgan, Declan Leahy, Gerard Rodgers

Star Players: Rory Sullion, Henry Foster, Mark Gilblin
Squad: Danny Miller, Steve Gaughan, Joe McPartland, Rory Scullion, Andy Mullan, Eoghan Moriarty, Dominic Thompson, Ciaran Connor (all Yorkshire),  Declan Rooney (Westmeath), Colum McArdle (Armagh), Paul McCormack (Tyrone) Mark Gilbin (Donegal), Emmett Staunton (Meath), Henry Foster (Limerick), Paul Curran (Down), Chris McNerlin (Derry), Niall Brady (Armagh), Cian Lowney (Cork), Dave O'Mahoney (Cork), Killian McNamara (Kildare), James Reilly (Meath)

New signings:
James O'Reilly (Meath)

A team backboned by home-grown talent is something special, St.Benedicts know the importance of this. Pick of these, is Rory Scullion. The big red-haired midfielder can pluck the ball from the skies as good as anyone else in Britain. He is ably supported by Mark Gilblin. They must provide the ammunition into the forward line where Henry Foster, Paul Curran and Emmett Staunton must be on target.

Last year was a major disappointment, Hugh O'Neills ruled the roost in Leeds  and Yorkshire. This being the case even though Benedicts were performing well at a higher standard of Pennine League Division 1 compared to O'Neills, who were mid in Pennine League Division 2. They will want things to change....................I think it just might.

Out the door:
Ruaidhri McKernan (Armagh)   

Cu Chulainns
Information will be posted shortly.

[theticklemister]

Results from today

Lancashire Senior League
John Mitchels GAA Liverpool 2-09 v 0-10 St. Brendans
St. Peter's OFF Oisín C.L.G. Manchester

Pennine League Division 2
Liverpool Wolfe Tones GAA 1-10 v 2-08 St. Benedicts
St Lawrences GAA Club Manchester 1-05 v 0-10 Cu Chullains

Pennine League Division 3
Oisins thirds 4-05 v 1-11 JFK


Fixtures for next week

League tables can be found here............http://www.lancsgaa.co.uk/league/104977/pennine3

Senior League
24/04/2016
13:00 John Mitchels - vs - Oisin Greenbank 1:00
13:00 St Brendans - vs - St Peters Trafford 1:00

Pennine League 2
24/04/2016
Cu Chulainn - vs - Wolfe Tones Beeston 3:00
Hugh O Neills - vs - St Lawrences Beeston 1:45

Pennine League 3
24/04/2016
JFK - vs - St Lawrences 3rds Beeston 12:45
St Mary/Pats - vs - Bro Pearse

[theticklemister]

Weekend Catch Up.....................Around The Grounds

John Mitchels Gaa Liverpool 2-09 v 0-10 St Brendan's GAA Manchester

St.Brendans started off at a blistering pace at Greenbank on Sunday. Colm Conway notched two points, between those, was a Stephen Tierney score. John Gibney began to find his range to hit a brace, which was followed by a Tom O'Grady effort. This left St.Brendans 0-07 to 0-03 ahead. John Mitchels began to motor however. Up stepped a resurgent Paddy Murphy, to bang the ball to the net, to cut the deficient to a point. Murphy, would go on to roll back the years, with a fantastic tally of 2-02 for the day. His second goal soon followed as Mitchels won by 5 points. They also missed a penalty from a Dave McTeggart effort. Mitchels' new signings Darren Russell and John Dorgan returned with 0-03 and 0-01 respectively. Denis O'Neill hit 2 points from the middle of the field and Michael Higgins and Paddy Mulligan hit a point each to finish the scoring.

Liverpool Wolfe Tones GAA 1-10 v 2-08 St. Benedicts Harps GAC

A late point from a free, gave victory to St.Benedicts in their second victory of the campaign. Two early goals by Niall Brady and Dave O'Mahoney paved the way for Benedicts, but to be fair to the Tones, they rallied after a slow start. A goal and two points by new signing Dave Shaugnassey for the Wolfe Tones, was aided by four points from Caomhan Scanlon, two from David Coughlan, one from Dave Leydon and one from Bellaghy's Niall Scullion. Points for Benedicts were scored by Andy Mullan and Emmett Staunton who hit three a piece, while James Reilly and Liam Toomes hit one a piece. Dave O'Mahoney playing at full forward for the Leeds outfit, was the star of the show as he tormented the Tones defence, time and time again. The new signing from Cu Chulainns will be a threat for the Yorkshire men this year.

St Lawrences GAA Club Manchester 1-05 v 0-10 Cu Chulainns

A much improved St.Lawrences were unlucky at Beeston on Sunday afternoon. They raced into a first-half lead of 1-04 v 0-02, playing with the wind. Their goal was scored by new signing, Fermanagh's Garbhan McManus. Cu Chulainns, emerged after the break and hit 6 points on the bounce however. Best for Cu Chulainns were Mark Anderson and Killian Smith in the fullback line, Dominic McGoldrick at centreback, Daire Maskey in midfield and Pauric Dolan in goals.

Oisín C.L.G. Manchesterins thirds 4-05 v 1-11 Jfk Gaa Leeds

Oisins thirds made it two wins from two, as they won a goal-laden contest. They trailed by 10 points at one stage, at a windswept Beeston. To be fair, JFK clawed their way back. A Paddy Gibbons goal at the start of the second-half, sparked the revival for the young Leeds team; while Niall Burke also played a huge part. Time ran out however as Oisins held on for victory. Aidan Carberry with a brace, Leigh Clarke and Eoin McKenna, were the goal scorers for the Manchester men. Sean Horan, Aidan Carberry and Jason McGlade were also to the fore with fine performances.

[Maroon Manc]

Mitchels are in good shape for a team who was playing their first game of the season although they probably won't score 2 softer goals all year.