It was a busy week for Boyle GAA Club on a number of fronts.
The following were €20 winners in the Club Lotto draw which was held in Clarkes Bar recently; Stephen Langan, Dessie McLoughlin, Marie Lavin, Jason Beirne, Shelley Hogan and Tommy Oates. The house prize was won by Darren Battles. The jackpot wasn’t won and it will stand at €7,500 for this Saturday night’s draw which will be held in Patrick’s Well with Team E in charge.
The Official Launch of the “Who Wants to be a Thousandaire” was held in the Clubroom on Wednesday evening last- (see separate report_Ros Herald). The event was an outstanding success and the following Major Sponsors were announced: Cooney Motors/ Cooney’s centra, Elverys Sports, Mulvey’s Toymaster/ Bowling Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon, King and Moffatt, Carrick on Shannon, Roscommon GAA Health and Wellbeing Initiative, Joe Simons Building Supplies and Hardware, Drumderrig House Nursing Home, Homeland/Nutrias and Lough Key Park and Activity Centre. It was also announced that up to ninety advertisers have also accepted the offer to advertise on two large screens on the night of the show on Saturday 6th December. The Club is anxious to ensure that nobody with a business in the North Roscommon region misses the chance to advertise and if not already contacted, they should get in touch with officers of the Boyle Male and Female GAA Clubs within the next week at the latest. Tickets for the show will be on sale from this week onward.
The other major event of the week was the Cian Smith Testimonial game between a Fergal O’Donnell managed team of 2006 Minor All Ireland winning Roscommon team and guests and a David Casey managed Boyle team and guests. There was a huge attendance and in excess of €10,000 was raised for the Kyle Casey Fund and the Mayo/ Roscommon Hospice. Anyone who was unable to attend and who wishes to donate may do so to any of the officers of Boyle GAA Club within the next few days. The game itself was highly competitive and it ended in a 3.13 each draw thanks to 2 goals (one from a penalty) and a point from a long distance free all of which were scored by Cian Smith himself for Boyle in the final five minutes. Cian had played the first half in the Roscommon jersey and he changed sides after the interval. Cian was presented with appropriate mementos of the occasion by Seán and Sharon Casey (parents of Kyle), and by his fellow players and by Boyle GAA Club. Thanks to the many people who made the event such a success, and of course to those who donated so generously to the worthy causes. Cian spoke himself and offered some some excellent words especially for Kyle, and all who were present wish him every success as he moves forward with his treatment. The occasion also marked the unveiling of a monument in the Clubroom by County Chairperson Michael Fahey and by Chairperson of the GAA County History Committee, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the County Board in Boyle in 1889.
The National Automation Limited U21s carved out a hard earned one point win over Padraig Pearses in the County U21 Division 1 Championship in Abbey Park on Sunday. Despite taking the field without Enda Smith Boyle showed great resolve to dig out the win. They are scheduled to travel to Hyde Park on Sunday next to take on Roscommon Gaels at 1p in their final group game. The Abbey Park will be the venue for the Garda Cup Final on Saturday next. Details will be provided locally. Congratulations to St. Brendan's in Dublin under the management of Justin McCormack and John Healy as they recorded their second promotion in successive years, and next season will play division 6 football. Boyle players involved include Tomas Conroy, Michael McHale and Karol Feehan.
