With less than two weeks to go to the biggest day in the history of the club, people are planning their travel arrangements etc for the All-Ireland final. A huge crowd from the area will descend on the capital and the club is pleased to announce that a special match day train will depart from Claremorris. There are a limited number of tickets available at the very reasonable price of 20 euros (adults and children). These tickets can only be purchased at the Irishtown Community Centre on Wednesday Feb 1st at 8.30pm. People from outside the Ballindine / Irishtown area are welcome to travel on the train but again please note that the tickets can only be purchased in Irishtown on Wednesday evening.

Please note that the train is being organised by club supporters, not directly by the club so there is no point ringing club officers to reserve tickets.

Times:

Depart Claremorris 9am. Arrive Heuston Station 11.40am.

Depart Heuston Station 7.20pm. Arrive Claremorris 9.50pm.

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The AGM of the Bord ná n-Óg will be held in Ballindine Community Centre at 6pm tomorrow evening. All are welcome.

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Davitts GAA Club would like to sincerely thank our sponsors throughout the year and for the upcoming All Ireland Final. A huge thank you for your greatly appreciated support to:

Pat McHugh & Sons (main club sponsor)

The Borderline Bar

Bertie Penny

Clarke’s Bar

Ultan Molloy, Healthwest Pharmacy

Gilligan’s Bar

Martin Trench

Gannon Chemicals

Stagg Betting

Hennigan’s Centra

McHugh’s Costcutters

Padraig Moran Barbers

Kearns Bros. Tractor Sales & Service

JT Sports

Bourke’s Bar

Enda Kenny T.D.

M&S Carpets

Albony Home Decor

Ballindine Oil

J.J. Griffiths

Hillside Service Station

John O’Mahony T.D.

CBE

Powerserve (Norman Mc Carthy)

Brady Laundrette

Sams Bar

Killeen’s Sports Grounds, Claremorris

Mooney & Kirrane Tarmacadam Specialists

Honey Bee Healthfood

Gareth Wright Physiotherapy

Brendan & Billy Fitzpatrick

Paul Keane Butchers

Richard Finn Mayo C.C.

Country Inn, Clonbern (Pat Ronanye)

MK Tyres, Ballindine & Ballina

Hastings Insurance Brokers

Dunmore Community School

Kearns Water Systems

AIB Claremorris

Michael Stephens Decorators

Ladbrokes, Claremorris

Aisling McLoughlin Accountancy

St. Colmans BNI Chapter

Glynn’s Hardware, Milltown

Patsy Higgins

Sean Sweeney

McHales Engineering, Ballinrobe

The Foodstore, Claremorris

Irish Tyre Products (Liam Griffin)

Tom Connolly Mayo C.C.

PaddyPower, Claremorris

NRS Group, Kilmovee

Kevin Burke Mechanic

Carey Undertakers

Western Brand

Delaney Oil, Brickens

James Clarke Tractor Sales

John Mc Donnell, VIVO

Eddie McLoughlin

Eugene Kirrane Plant & Machinery Hire & Sales

Niall Roche Carpentry, Kilvine

Inisbofin House Hotel & Marine Spa

Eamon Hughes Marble & Granite

Liam Trench Agri-Contractors

Forever Young Beauty Salon, Claremorris

Diskin Kitchens, Milltown

Chadwicks Builders Materials, Galway

Delaney Hardware, Ballyhaunis

Woodstock Welding

Linkus (William Freeley)

McWilliam Park Hotel

John Dixon Veterinary Practice

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It was bound to happen sooner or later. Shocking? Yes. Surprising? Not really. People may think that the Club Website is not the appropriate forum to make such an announcement. However, the matter is of consequence to Davitts GAA Club, and as such, is a valid topic.

Now for those of you who thought by the rather sensationalist headline and introduction to this article, that Davitts self-proclaimed tough-man James ‘Tidi’ Cummins was going to jail for some reason, shame on you! James has taken on a new business venture this week, that will see him run the Porter House bar in Claremorris. The official opening is this Friday night (27th Jan) and all are welcome! James is on record as saying that there will be no discrimination against patrons from any other South Mayo clubs, however he did stop short of extending the same pledge to some clubs in the other three regions of Mayo, in particular East Mayo…*cough*

There will be live music on Friday night, with drinks being served by topless staff (not necessarily female staff…), so why not drop in for a pint to greet the the most sophisticated and elegant young barman / bouncer in Claremorris on his grand opening?!

Davitts GAA Club would like to wish James the very best of luck in his brave new venture. There may not be too many Davitts players drinking there for the next few weeks, but come February 12th that is one thing that will be rectified well and proper!

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Davitts 2-12

Eire Óg 0-5

Davitts produced a clinical display in the All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final against a very young and brave Eire Óg side, to qualify for the All-Ireland final against the Kerry champions Milltown-Castlemaine on Feb 12th in Croke Park. Davitts, playing with the assistance of the stiff wind, were quickly into their stride with captain Michael Conroy leading the charge, and raced into a 1-8 to 0-2 lead at the break, with Conroy helping himself to 7 superb points and the equally impressive Fergal McGrath scoring 1-1, the goal coming in the 22nd minute after excellent work by Colm Boyle and Conroy.

Eire Og tried hard to come back into the game in the second half but a superb David McDonagh goal after 15 minutes killed the game off as a contest. The huge Davitts crowd in O Connor Park, Tullamore were able to relax in the final quarter of the game, as the game petered out to its inevitable conclusion.

This was a game where everything went according to plan for Davitts. Mark Diskin was confident and assured in goals and marshalled his defence well. The fullbackline of Kevin Diego Gallagher, the ageless Alan Roche and man of the match contender Colm Roche were superb throughout. Colm Boyle was outstanding at centre half back as were wing backs Johnno Clarke and James Cummins. Ronan McNamara and Paul Carey bossed midfield and Eire Og couldn’t cope with their direct no nonsence approach.

Wing forwards Pat Coyne and Keith Prendergast had arguably their best games ever in the red and black jerseys, while David McDonagh was an excellent leader of the attack, Aidan McTigue worked himself to a standstill in the corner while Fergal McGrath and Michael Conroy stole the show with their clinical finishing.

Peter Warren will know that Davitts will be facing much stiffer opposition in the final but the dream is still very much alive as the club awaits the greatest occasion in its history.

Davitts team: Mark Diskin, Colm Roche, Alan Roche, Kevin Gallagher, Johnno Clarke, Colm Boyle, James Cummins, Ronan McNamara (0-1), Paul Carey, Keith Prendergast, David McDonagh (1-0), Pat Coyne, Aidan McTigue, Fergal McGrath (1-2), Michael Conroy (0-9).

Subs used: Martin Cosgrove, Keith Glynn, Liam Kearns, Carlos O Gara.

P.S. The interest that the team’s success on the road to Croker was even more apparent on Sunday evening and night, as the website server crashed due to extremely high volume of visitors to the site, so apologies for anyone who was left ‘in the dark’ regarding the result. We promise that this blackout wasn’t alcohol related. Neither was the blackout to demonstrate our solidarity with some smaller website based groups (Google & Wikipedia) that are protesting against the proposed internet censorship bill that is being drafted by the U.S. Government!

P.S.S. Photos from the match will be available in the Gallery shortly…

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For anyone who has not seen this week’s edition of the Mayo News there is a small piece in the Sports Section in which Davitts Captain Michael Conroy reveals his take on who’s who amongst some of his club colleagues. The following is quoted directly from the paper [anything in brackets like these are our own comments!]:

Most skillful team-mate:

That would probably be me. Or is self-praise no praise?!

[Good man Mike, off to a flier. The words ‘broken’ and ‘record’ spring to mind!]

Best trainer:

Colm Boyle. Never gives up, never lets up. Lives in the gym.

[Fact.]

Worst trainer:

Pat Coyne. At his age, he has to watch himself.

[Ahhhh, so that’s why…]

Best dresser:

Liam Kearns. He thinks he’s Michael Jordan.

Worst dresser:

Luke Ronayne. What’s the story with those cowboy boots?

[You could be experiencing one of them boots up close and personal after that comment!]

Fastest:

Aidan McTigue. Just ask the corner-back from Pearses!

[Or the odd Liverpudlian..!]

Slowest:

David Mitchell. Or maybe he’s just deceptively quick.

Vainest:

Noel Reapy would probably push me close.

[Wha? Tut tut, poking fun at someone who has a website at his disposal. Not your brightest idea Mikey!! More to follow…]

Funniest:

I’d be in the shake-up, but Mark Diskin is a great man for a story.

Best with the media:

I’ve been known to wax lyrical myself but I’m also prone to the odd blunder. ‘Dowie’ McDonagh is pretty smooth too.

[Not too sure about you waxing lyrical, but rumour has it that you are fond of waxing…(I won’t say what; this is a family friendly website afterall]

Shyest:

Kevin Gallagher. He lets his football do the talking.

[All hail – King Diego!]

Best with other sports:

Ronan ‘The Jackpot’ Mac – a serious darts player.

[Mac’s aim is magic altogether *cough*]

Best with gagets:

James Cummins. He’s always on Twitter.

[Always on Twitter? Didn’t he invent it?]

Best dancer:

Paul Carey is unstoppable after a couple of brandies.

[Currently in negotiations for next season’s Strictly Come Dancing]

Best car:

Carlos O’Gara’s BMW and Carey’s Audi are hard to seperate. But I’ll go for O’Gara because he’s got a car to go with his name!

Longest in the shower:

Dave McDonagh is always in there half the day.

Best man to repeat himself:

Pete Warren. The man is obsessed with discipline.

[And look at where it is landed us!]

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Gretta McManus kindly sponsored the Senior Panel these wooly hats, which are also on sale for €10 in McManus’ shop in Irishtown.

Even though this winter has been tropical in comparison to last year, there are no doubt some of our “follically challenged” supporters who could do with some extra insulation this Sunday in Tullamore! MS; LG; MK; MH; PK; TT; LP; LN; PH; JPK; TK; CP; FC; DH; KK; SB…not mentioning any names or anything (just initials…!) Anybody able to put names to all the initials??

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The CDs of the Dinner Dance slideshow are selling like hotcakes so don’t miss your opportunity to get your own copy before they are sold out. Copies will be available at the game in Tullamore this Sunday. Contact Ronan Kirrane before the game or at half time, or Noel Reapy after the game to get your copy! Please note that the Slideshow is a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation, so it will only work on a computer. DVD Players, X-Box or Playstations will not play the CD!

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Well folks, we never felt the weeks creeping up on us and suddenly we are only days away from our D-Day in Tullamore. On Sunday January 22nd at 2pm, Peter Warren, Ja Trench and John Treacy will send out the Intermediate team to do battle with Eire Og, Greystones, the champions of Wicklow and Leinster, for a place in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park on Febuary 12th.

Its time again to put out the black and red flags, bunting, car flags etc and show everybody how proud we are of our great team and what they have already achieved. A huge crowd from the area will descend on Tullamore on Sunday and lets bring as much black and red, (flags, headbands, polo shirts, hoodies etc) to the game as possible. We had everybody talking about us in Carrick On Shannon and Kiltoom so lets try to even surpass those memorable occasions with a huge show of support. We know that Eire Og are a very big club, and will themselves bring a massive support to the game, as they, like Davitts, attempt to make history and reach the final.

The best of luck to the squad and management in what will be the toughest hurdle to date, but what a prize awaits the winners…

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Davitts GAA Bord ná n-Óg will be holding two Information Nights for the parents of our underage members. Any parents of young players (or indeed people who would have an interest in underage football) are cordially invited to attend.

The Information Nights are strictly informal, and will give people the opportunity to ask the Bord ná n-Óg Officers any questions they may have or indeed express any views that they think that we as a Club should be addressing in our underage structures.

There will be two meetings held this coming weekend. The times and venues are as follows:

Irishtown: Friday 13th of January at 8:30pm in the Community Centre

Ballindine: Saturday 14th of January at 8:30pm in the Community Centre

Some of the topics that the officers will be talking about will include:

• Health and Safety of players: Information on the forthcoming introduction of a countrywide policy on the wearing of gum shields which is being rolled out by GAA Headquarters

• The transportation of our players to and from games

• Give Respect/ Get Respect GAA initiative for U8’s, U10’s and U12’s

• Membership and registration

• Child protection

• New ideas for fundraising

• We will be happy to get feedback on ways to improve and develop our underage structures within the Club

Remember, the players on our current Senior Team that represented the Club so well in 2011 were U-12’s, U-14’s, U-16’s & U-18’s once upon a time. The development of talent that brings glory to a Club beings with the Bord ná n-Óg!

Again, these Information Nights are informal, there will be no election of Team Management teams etc. so why not come along for a chat? They don’t bite, honest…!

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