Roscommon got their FBD League campaign off to a winning start when they had a 1-9 to 1-7 win over Sligo over in Sligo on Saturday. They followed this up with a good win over Leitrim on Sunday. New Roscommon boss, Tommy Carr will be pleased with the bright opening to the season for the lads who have put the controversy of last summer well behind them at this stage.
* The media speculation about Kildare player Dermot Earley transferring to Roscommon is understood to be without foundation. Dermot Jnr, who is son of the former Roscommon star of the 1970s and 80s, looks set to continue his plating career with the Lilywhites.
WINNING STREAK
Best wishes to Gerry McCormack from Castlerea who is one of the five finalists on the Winning Streak National Lottery game on RTE next Saturday evening. Roscommon folk will be cheering him on!
RADIO GUEST
J.J. Flannelly from Castlerea was the featured guest on last Sunday night’s Late Show on Mid-West Radio. A retired member of the Garda Siochana, J.J. spoke of his time in Tralee, Glenamaddy and Castlerea.
Actively involved in many aspects of the community life of Castlerea, including the Brass and Reed Band, the Musical Society, the Church Choir, the “Parish” committee, and more, he recalled events from down the years.
J.J., who hails from Attymass near the Mayo-Sligo border, has written a manuscript for a book entitled “Moments”, various reflections on his life and experiences down through the years. He is hoping to secure a publisher for the book over the coming months.
Numerous congratulatory calls were received at the station wishing him well while Castlerea councillor Danny Burke and well known Glenamaddy actor and writer John Donlon came ‘on air’ to pay their own tributes.
Well done, J.J.
BAPTISMS
The following children were recently welcomed into the Christian community in Castlerea through the Sacrament of Baptism in the parish church: Ethan James Dempsey, Cregg Padraic McLoughlin-Gilmore, Adam Edward McDermott, Isabelle Alexandra Kelly-Flanagan, Conor John Kilcullen, Ian Thomas Burke and Dillon Thomas Joyce.
Nadine Lorraine Connolly was baptized in St. Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad last week.
DRAW WINNERS
The £65 prize in the Cloonbonniffe 200 Club draw for December was won by Mike Byrne Snr., Taughnara. The other winners were Tom Mulrennan, Tully, Vicky Kelly, Taughnara, Fr. Kevin Fallon, Castlerea, Kathleen Morgan, Ballymote, Nora Burke, Castlerea and Fintan Wall, Cloonbonniffe.
WEDDING BELLS
Congratulations to Brian Moylan and Barbara Flannery on their recent wedding. And similar congrats to Thomas Gormley and Anne Harte on their big day in Castlerea.
CASTLEREA BEREAVEMENTS
Ann Folan, who died recently in Galway, was a sister of Kevin and Noreen Gunning, Church Road, Castlerea.
Paddy Haugh, formerly of Main Street, Castlerea, died recently in Dublin. Sympathy is tendered to family members and friends on their sad bereavement.
The death has taken place of Sr. Maureen Dolan, Summerhill, Athlone. She was a sister of Sally Ann Keane and Margaret Newman in Castlerea. Sympathy is tendered to family members and her community on their bereavement.
Condolences to Peter Dockery, Cloontrask, Castlerea on the recent death of his nephew Niall Winters in Sligo.
COMHALTAS NEWS
The Castlerea branch of Comhaltas organise set dancing classes every Monday night at 9 p.m. There are classes for two hand and ceili dances in Hester’s lounge every Thursday night at 9 p.m. All welcome.
JOBS CLUB
The Castlerea Job Club, located at St. Patrick’s Street, starts a new job seeking skills course this week. The course is free and runs over three weeks from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday. It is open to all job seekers of all ages and further details may be had from Mary or Romy at 0907-21510 or 21514.
CLOONFAD BEREAVEMENTS
Condolences to Mary Teresa Connally, Cloonfad on the recent death of her aunt, Mary Comer, Woodfield, Dunmore.
Shirley Fleming, Leicester, who died recently in England, was a daughter-in-law of Molly Fleming, Ballykilleen.
Sympathy is extended to Michael Jennings, Pollinalty, on the death of his uncle Jim Lyons in Gorthaganny.
Murray McKay, who died recently in Canada, was a cousin of Marian Cunniffe, Ballykilleen, Cloonfad.
The death has taken place of Paddy Keane, Manchester. He was formerly of Moigh, Cloonfad and was a brother of Johnny Keane and Nellie Moran. The community tenders sympathy to them on their bereavement.
Condolences to Margaret Caulfield, Cloonfad on the recent death of her uncle Pat Goggins, Kilmurray, Castleplunkett.
EIRE OG DANCE
The annual dinner dance of the Eire Og-Loughglynn Club will be held in the White House in Ballinlough on Friday 31st January. Mike Denver and his popular band will provide the music. Tickets are 25 euros and can be had from any of the club officers.
LISACUL CLASSES
Aerobic classes continue in Lisacul Community Centre at 9 p.m. every Monday night. The set dancing classes are held every Thursday night at 9 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM DEATH
The death took place recently in Birmingham of Michael Joe Dolan, Harristown, Castlerea. Mickey, as he was known to most people, was a member of a well known local family and news of his passing in England was received with much sadness back home among his friends and former neighbours.
Though he had resided in England for many years, Mickey always retained a great affection for his home county and the Castlerea area and it was his wish that he be interred in his native Castlerea.
Removal was from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church and burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery following the celebration of Mass of the Resurrection.
He is deeply regretted by his son Derek, daughter-in-law Ann, grandchildren Jessica and Lewis, brother Walter (England), sisters Daisy O’Reilly (Castlerea) and Mary Morris (Castlerea), brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
SHOWBAND MEMORIES
The photo of the Cliffonaires Showband in last week’s Western People evoked some happy memories for followers of that era in the Castlerea area. In Stephen Treacy’s shop, talk centred around the night the Cliffonaires backed Bridie Gallagher for a major show in the Savoy and a capacity crowd was present for the dance.
Former Premier Aces member Mickey Slyman will be on stage in the Royal Hotel in Roscommon town on Friday night week at a major showband nostalgia night which will also feature Shay Hutchinson and some members of the Melody Aces frOm Tyrone, Jimmy Smith of the Mighty Avons, and the Brose Walsh Band. (See diary page for full details).