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Considering the present pandemic crisis sweeping the world presently, and likely to continue for some time, and with all GAA activities at a standstill, I thought it might be worthwhile to remind ourselves of the more halcyon days experienced by the Club. I will be posting some "nostalgic" images from time to time for the foreseeable future. Also, if you can identify the people in the photos, or anything of interest relating to the event, please get back to me, and I will include it in the publication. In the meantime, keep safe, be patient, be positive, for this too will pass! To keep you busy - can anyone provide the names, the occasion and the year please? Furthermore, if anyone out there has old photos, it doesn't have to be totally GAA related, anything to do with the parish historically, take a picture with your phone, and we will publish them on the Club website. For example, this is a photo of the old community centre taken in the early 60s. Image courtesy of Nora Mandell, daughter of Derek and Margaret Mandell (Walsh) photographers, both now deceased, they lived for a period in Roscahill. Note: no MidWest Furniture in sight! "Will the owner of car number, FIZ 155, please return to your vehicle immediately as it is causing a major obstruction."

In the time that we are experiencing, this is probably the most opportune time to remind present players and parishioners, of the team that captured the coveted McDonnell Cup for the first time in the history of the Club, beating Carramore in the County Junior Final on a gloomy Sunday in McHale Park Castlebar. A good number of the U-14 team that brought the first county title to the Club in 1970 also featured on the team. Also headlining are the U-16 B winners of 1978. It would be helpful, as you scroll through the images to identify the people therein so that we can record their names for prosperity accurately. We should be appreciative to Frank Dolan for giving his kind permission to publish the images. Back Row L-R: Michael Ryan, Gerry Ryan, Jim Duffy, Padraig Gavin, Frank Fitzgerald, Liam Gibbons, Joe Duffy and Billy Fahy R.I.P. Front Row L-R: Tommy Staunton, Michael Duffy, Richie Gill, Padraic Barrett, Michael Gavin Capt, Vincent Ryan and George Golden. Carrowmore Junior Finalists 1977 More...

Kilmeena GAA Millennium Team Back Row L-R: Michael Duffy, Billy Fahy RIP, Austin Gibbons, Joe Ryan, Vincent Ryan, George Golden, Michael Mulchrone, Michael Moore and Padraic Walsh. Seated L-R: Richie Gill, Michael Gavin, Vincent Rielly, Martin McIntyre, T.J. McIntyre and Kevin McIntyre. By kind permission of Conor McKeown

The GAA has informed all clubs that their Player Injury Benefit Cover and Public Liability Insurance cover is suspended during the Covid-19 emergency. Croke Park followed up by informing all clubs that their facilities must be shut as they are not covered by insurance. We would therefore ask all members to cooperate and adhere to this request and not enter our grounds until after 29th March or until such time as we have been instructed that we can resume activities again. It is also important to remind managers and players that no “organised” training can take place during this period. We believe this is in the best interests of our members and community in these unprecedented times. Updates will continue to be provided as we receive them. Kilmeena GAA

In compliance with the Government announcement & subsequent joint media release from the GAA, Camogie Association and The Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Kilmeena GAA Club will from midnight, March 12th, 2020 suspend all games, training and gatherings in our club house, gym and pitches. The club grounds will be closed and out of bounds until March 29th, 2020. We will continue to review the situation and be guided by the relevant authorities. Thank you. John McDonald Chairman

The club with the highest total average steps per province will win one of four €2,500 vouchers. The challenge starts on 16th March and ends on 12th April 2020. Winning clubs must have a minimum of 15 walkers joining the challenge. Walkers must be aged 18 years of age or older to participate. The challenge will be divided across the four provinces. What better way to embrace a healthy Spring than with a challenge and a chance to help your local GAA club. MyLife, the personalised health and wellbeing app by Irish Life Financial Services have teamed up with GAA Heathy Clubs to bring you the GAA Healthy Club Step Challenge and best of all, anyone can get involved! What do I need to do next? 1. Download the MyLife app from the App Store or Google play store on your mobile device. 2. Register for MyLife How do I join the challenge? 1. From the “Me Today” screen tap on “Social” 2. Select “Challenges” 3. From the available challenges select your province 4. Join the challenge and select your club Best of luck!

An information evening on Friday the 20th of March 2020, commencing at 8.30pm, has been organised under the auspices of the Club's Alcohol and Substance Abuse programme, the Club's Healthy Club project, and with a genuine concern for the Health and wellbeing of all our players. The event is open to players, boys and girls, over the age of 15 years right up to and including our senior teams, and their parents.The event kicks off at 8.30pm sharp with a presentation given by Linda Lally from the Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim institute of further education dealing specifically with apprenticeships for boys and girls. We feel this is something of relevance for our young people leaving school and considering what career path to choose. After this we will have a presentation from An Garda Siochana concerning the misuse of Drugs (legal and illegal) in our community. Concern has been expressed of late about the increased use and supply of drugs and especially cocaine in the locality and, with this in mind, it is of the upmost importance that the Club is proactive and takes positive actions to address the crisis. This is an information event for all our players over the age of 15 years and their parents and is being organised by the Club to address concerns which have been raised to us. This is a first step on a series of events which will help keep our members informed and ultimately safer.

The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Programme has been developed by the GAA and the Health Service Executive (HSE), to provide a framework to help clubs and local communities deal with alcohol and drug related issues. Kilmeena GAA club have a responsibility to show leadership in the community and have produced and adopted a policy document that will apply to all users of our club. I would encourage all club members young and old to read and understand the policy. Thanks to Willie Keaveney, our Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) officer for his hard work in heading up the programme. The club will in the coming weeks, organise and host an information evening on Drug and substance abuse, details of which will be posted on the website and through social media. The evening will be open to everyone in the community with emphasis on our youth from age 15 years and their parents.

Kilmeena Minor Ladies pre-season training began on January 16th, 2019. The girls participated in a six-week strength and conditioning programme in the Kilmeena gym, kindly facilitated by Annette Keane Lonergan. Our minor girls took to the pitch in early February for their first outdoor training session. Initially, the team had a small panel of minors, and we knew that this was going to create difficulty as the season progressed. To keep the girls interested and to maintain consistency, we trained with the senior panel throughout the 2019 season. A very memorable start saw the opening game of the league being played on Sunday, March 10th, away to Carnacon. Torrential rain and hailstones forced both teams to run for shelter, briefly postponing the starting time of the game. On resumption, the team, consisting of 12 players, performed admirably despite the horrendous conditions. Unfortunately, we left Carnacon with a loss. On Bank Holiday Monday, March 18th, the girls played a home game against The Neale. The team, now restored to its full complement of players when some girls from the U-16 squad stepped up a grade to minor and relished the challenge. The girls performed beyond expectations and displayed exceptional skills and passion throughout the game — final score: Kilmeena 4-16, The Neale 2-3. A week later, the girls played at home to Westport “B”. Displaying a massive, cohesive team effort, and playing in harmony, they continued to increase the scoreline against a competitive Westport side. They eventually secured the win with a final score of Kilmeena 6-7 Westport 2-9. Unfortunately, the last league game fixed for May 1st didn’t go ahead, as Kilmoremoy “B” withdrew from the competition. The Championship was due to kick off on August 6th against Moy Davitts. However, we were forced to concede this game due to low numbers. The long break in games due to state exams made it difficult for our girls to commit on the day. The girls played their last minor league game, a quarter-final, away to a very strong St. Mary’s side on October 11th which brought our 2019 season to a close. Kilmeena LGFA management would like to thank the minor girls who committed to the 2019 season, especially the U-16 girls who rose to the occasion and as a result have further improved their football skills. Girls who have a passion and interest for football must continue to dedicate their time to the development of our LGFA Club over the future years. Thanks to David O’Malley, John McDonald and Majella O’Malley for all their hard work and dedication with both training and match preparations. Thanks also to the U-16 management for their help and assistance during the year. Also, the parents that continued to support our efforts throughout the season. Also, a special thank you to Ollie Mulchrone and Martin McIntyre for all their action shots of the girls throughout the 2019 year! Panel: Susannah Horgan, Katie Hogan, Dearbhla Grealis, Ava Ryder, Shannon Bourke, Jaimee Geraghty, Laura Moore, Chloe McGing, Aoife Gibbons, Ciara Joyce, Molly Moore, Laura Kelly, Megan O’Malley, Holly Barrett, Aine Regan, Abbi McGreal, Keely Hastings, Rachel Gibbons, Megan Mulchrone, Emma Murray, Aibhlinn O’Flynn and Ellen O’Toole.

The year started on January 16th with five weekly strength and conditioning sessions in the gym. Thanks to Annette Keane Lonergan for facilitating these sessions Our initial outing of the year was a challenge match against Balla. This match was a historic day for Balla as it was their first-ever game fielding an U-16 girls team. We played seven league games, losing the first four but winning the last three. We finished with a great win against Carnacon. We were knocked out of the Championship by Louisburgh in the first round. Our 2019 U-16 registered players were: Rachel Gibbons, Aoife Gibbons, Megan O’Malley, Megan Mulchrone, Jessica O’Donnell, Laura Kelly, Aibhlin O’Flynn, Ciara Joyce, Keelie Hastings, Áine Regan, Abby McGreal, Aibhilin O’Flynn, Holly Barrett, Emma Murray, Mollie Keane and Sarah Gillespie. A big thanks to the U-14 Girls and management for their support throughout the year. Thanks to all the girls for their effort and commitment during the year. Thanks also to the parents for their support and help throughout the year. Thanks also to the management team of Geraldine Gibbons, Ann Hastings, Ollie Mulchrone, Colm Barrett, Paul Ryan and Pete Mortimer.

For the Kilmeena U-14 Girls panel, 2019 is a year that they will never forget. The season started on January 30th, with a six-week strength and conditioning course under the guidance of Annette Keane Lonergan in the Club gym. This program was a good foundation for the long season, which ran to the end of October. This team played their best in every game and with an average score of 12 points or more per game, not to mention a number of goals. These girls went through the season unbeaten in both league and championship competitions. This group were enthusiastic, dedicated and played as a solid unit from numbers one to 19 throughout the year. Any of our wonderful and dedicated supporters who witnessed their immense sense of team spirit and never-give-up attitude until the final whistle was blown during the season can say these girls are worthy of their championship and league titles. The Division 4 league was our first competition in which we played Islandeady, Hollymount and Westport at home, Kilmoremoy “B”, Moy Davitts and Davitts away. As the weeks rolled on, we topped the table and were delighted to finish our round of games unbeaten. Islandeady were the semi-final challengers, and with a home draw and lots of supporters cheering them on, the girls went looking for a place in the league final. Victory was tasted on the night, and the final was put on hold whilst the Championship started. We were fortunate to get a bye in the first round of the “C” Championship, but we didn’t lack games because the U-13 and U-15 leagues had commenced, so all our girls were busy on those teams. We travelled to Kilmoremoy “B” for the semi-final, which ended in a draw. Kilmeena won the replay and Kilmaine were our final opponents. On Friday, October 6th, in Islandeady, the team won the Club’s first Girls Championship title. With one final out of the way, we had to keep training and focused until the league final was scheduled. On October 20th, we headed for Ballina once more to see how we would fair out against a strong Kilmoremoy “B” team. Victory was ours, and Kilmeena U-14 girls finished the year very happy and deserving of their cups (see match report below). In August, the Madden family kindly sponsored tracksuits for the team in memory of their daughter and sister Vivienne, whose 20th anniversary occurred this year. All the girls are so thankful and appreciative of their generous sponsorship. A photo-book of action shots, captured during their league and Championship matches, sponsored by Pete Feehan and family, for which we are especially grateful, will be presented to the panel of girls to mark this historic double title win. The management – Maura Hastings, Davina Carney and David Ingham – wish to thank the parents, grandparents, other family relatives, friends and Club members and officers who supported us in any way during the year. Thank you to the girls for their commitment and dedication to their team and Club. Well done everyone on a hugely enjoyable and successful year.

Our training season began in late February, and there was a large attendance and great team spirit for all practice sessions throughout the year. The teams in our grading group were very strong. It included Breaffy, Kilmaine, Moy Davitts, Westport “B” and Castlebar Mitchels “B”. Our season didn’t get off to a great start when there was a misunderstanding about our first match against Achill. During the league, we won two and lost three matches. We had some injuries to some of our girls which was a setback. As a result, we introduced three U-10s - Leah Walsh, Amy Gibbons and Phoebe Russell - to our panel. These girls proved to be really strong and were a great asset to our team. A strong Castlebar Mitchels team beat us in the second round of the Championship. It was a competitive match, but the girls gave it their all, even though we were missing some of our core players. I want to thank all involved with the team during the season, including John Gallagher, Luanne O’Donnell, Carragh Ryan. A special thanks to Enda Lonergan for setting out the pitches and acting as a linesman for the games. Thank you to all the parents for their involvement with the Club over the season. Overall, it was a fun season with these great bunch of girls. Wishing them all the very best for the future years with Kilmeena LGFA Our Team: Rachael Needham, Ruby Lane, Ciara Kelly, Sarah Corrigan, Moira Fernandes Walshe, Laura Ingham, Mary Kate Lonergan, Emma Barrett, Laura O’Grady, Amy Carney, Siofra Hughes, Eva Mulchrone, Catherine Lawless, Ruby McDonnell, Áine Gallagher, Amelia Fahy and Kelsey O’Donnell.

The Kilmeena U-10 Girls were small in numbers this year, so Maureen and Richie permitted us to bring three U-8 Girls up to join the squad. We had a panel of 14 girls who showed great commitment to training all through the year, having 12-14 girls for most Wednesday sessions. We commenced training on April 3rd and those initial weeks we concentrated on building up and improving key skills, using drills and the kicking wall. Our first match was against our neighbours, Burrishoole. The girls played very well, with the help of some U-11s to make up numbers against Burrishoole. The win we secured at this home match gave us great confidence heading into the Paddy Golden Blitz. Our annual blitz was held on June 22nd, and we competed in the “B” division. Our first game was against Tourmakeady, which was an evenly matched encounter. In our second and third matches against Burrishoole and Westport, we had some brilliant scores to win both games. So, we marched onwards to the final against our toughest rivals – Tourmakeady. This game was an epic contest from start to finish, both teams not giving an inch. The girls put in a massive performance here, doing everything we asked of them to secure the win, and by doing so wrote themselves into the history books of Kilmeena LGFA. Following the celebrations, joint-captains Leah Gavin Walsh and Amy McIntyre Gibbons lifted the shield. After the summer break, the girls moved up to U-11s and were joined by five of the younger girls from the U-12s – Mary Kate, Catherine, Emelia, Laura and Eva. These girls were a welcome addition to the squad and brought with them a very high skill level and the experience of playing in the U-12 Spring League. On August 28th the U-11 squad were invited to enter the Balla Blitz. The standard here was quite competitive. We played three games and won one. But everyone had a great morning and loads of game time. The following week, on a lovely September evening, we arranged a friendly with the Westport girls in Sacred Heart School pitch. They all played some super football, scoring well and coming away with a win. For our last outing of the season, we entered the U-10 Girls in the county Blitz in Bekan on September 18th. We had three games against Westport, Breaffy and Ballintubber. We won two out of the three. There was a lovely presentation afterwards, and everybody went home with a medal. We wrapped up training on September 25th where we had a lovely parents and players evening in the clubhouse. Players got a team photo and a goodie bag, and we looked over some of the action shots from the Paddy Golden Blitz. It was a pleasure to be involved with this great, energetic bunch of girls this year. Their behaviour, discipline and enthusiasm were exemplary both on and off the field of play. On behalf of Trish, Bernie and myself we wish our older girls the best of luck with U-12s next year and look forward to seeing everybody else back in 2020..

This group consisted of 24 girls between the ages of 5-8. We worked on skills and encouraged friendships amongst the girls in the first few weeks. Training began on April 3rd, and we finished up on September 28th. We hosted Burrishoole at the beginning of July. Both teams showed excellent skills and had lots of fun. We travelled to Westport in August to a blitz where we played four games. The girls had a great day and were presented with certificates. The season finished off with a trip to Burrishoole for another blitz. Our girls emerged unbeaten after playing four games against the hosts Burrishoole, Westport and Ballinrobe “1” and “2.” Well done to Shauna, Cailín and Charley who played most of the season with the U-10s. Best of luck to Emily, Emma, Elsie, Molly, Luna and Aisling who will move up to the U-10s next year. We look forward to seeing everyone back in 2020 and welcoming new players. Thanks to Ritchie and Lesley for their help with coaching all year.

The 2019 season began in early January. The management team of John Reilly, Darren Madden and David Feehan remained in place to continue with the team’s progression from 2018. This season Pat Grady was added to the management. In his role as a member of the sideline support team, the ever-present James Keane – as “maor uisce” – ensured the team always performed at their best. Sean Ryder continued his duties as captain for the Kilmeena team for 2019. Division 3 League The league got off to a rocky start for the Kilmeena lads. First losing badly at home to Lahardane. Whereas a group we did not play anywhere near our potential. The next game away to Davitts was a heartbreak to come away empty-handed. This game highlighted how this player group has improved, showcasing their ability to play expansive but attrition football. Eventually losing out by a point to a team that would eventually make the senior championship quarter-finals. Kilmeena won their next three games. The first win came against Swinford away. Kilmeena controlled this game from start to finished and continued with their expansive brand of football. The second win was a comprehensive destruction of Achill in St. Brendan’s Park. Kilmeena were ruthless and hit Achill for six goals. The third win away to Castlebar Mitchells was in contrast to the previous two games. Kilmeena had to grind this one out as Mitchells attempted to snuff out Kilmeena’s attacking play. Kilmeena then hit a mixed patch of form when losing to Ballyhaunis at home by four points; getting a last-gasp leveller to draw with Bonniconlon; beating Parke by four points by controlling the football in the second half; and coming back from an eight-point deficit in Shrule to leave with a one-point win. Our final two games did not go well for us, losing out to The Neale, the eventual league and intermediate champions by four points and getting well beaten by Mayo Gaels in Mayo Abbey to round off the league. Kilmeena finished fifth overall in the league and look to developing year on year in this league. Division 6 League A second-place finish in the league and a semi-final spot is what awaits this group of players at the season’s end. The first outing of the year was an away draw with Knockmore, an excellent game of football demonstrating the talent that is developing within the Club. Kilmeena went on to beat Ballaghaderreen and Westport, but then losing out to Islandeady at home. The next two games will stand out for this playing group; an away win in Moygownagh will go down as a great day for the Club because earlier in the day the junior championship team had to run out against Kilmovee, meaning 41 men togged out for the Club that day. The win against Bonnicolon was a real Friday night-lights affair with the win going down to the last play. Kilmeena played Breaffy in the league semi-final of Division 6; anyone who witnessed that game would agree that the standard of football was far beyond the level of Division 6. Sadly Kilmeena lost out in the end by four points to the team who would eventually win it out, The Neale. Cusack Cup Kilmeena received a bye into the final to play Westport’s junior team. Westport hit the ground running and controlled the game from the off. Kilmeena were down six points at half time; a further two points by Westport put Kilmeena eight points in arrears. That’s when the show came to town! Kilmeena ramped through the gears and put three goals and seven points on Westport in a 20-minute scoring spell. With that, Kilmeena retained the Cusack Cup for the second year in succession. Michael Walsh League Kilmeena made the Michael Walsh league final, having easily topped their league and dealt with Ardagh in the semi-final. The final was played on a Baltic cold Sunday afternoon in Knockmore. Little could separate the sides, and after extra time, penalties decided the result. Cill Chomáin were the victors of the shoot-out, with Kilmeena left to rue the many missed scoring chances in normal and extra time. Junior B Kilmeena made it to the West Mayo Junior B semi-final after beating a fancied Breaffy team on their home patch. Facing Parke in the final, however, did not go our way. Parke eventually won out as comfortable winners to lift the Keane Cup for the first time in their history. Junior Championship Kilmeena topped their group of Ballycroy, Ballina “B” and KIlmovee having dispatched all three by an average score of 22 points. Those victories put Kilmeena in a confident mood going into the quarter-final. Cill Chomáin were our next opponents. The game played in Knockmore and was a well-attended affair by both travelling supporters. Cill Chomáin lead by two points at the interval, but in the second half Kilmeena yet again showed there attacking endeavour and hit them for two goals and six points to run out comfortable winners by five points in the end. Next up was a showdown against Kilmaine in the County semi-final. This game has gone down as one of the games of the 2019 championship at all levels. Kilmeena really showed their attacking game, hitting Kilmaine for 17 points and were within touching distance of a County Final. Sadly, Kilmaine found the know-how from somewhere and managed to take the game by two points in the end. A massive disappointment for Kilmeena. Under 21 Championship Kilmeena won the U-21 “D” County Championship of 2019. En route to the final, Kilmeena dispatched three senior clubs in the process – Hollymount/Carramore, Moy Davitts, Erris Saint Patricks (Kiltane and Ballycroy). In the final, Kilmeena faced of against Ardmoy, an amalgamation of three parishes (Lahardane, Ardagh and Moygownagh). Kilmeena started the game by hitting four unanswered points. Ardmoy pulled themselves back into the match, but Kilmeena led by two points at the break. The start of the second half Kilmeena controlled and went ahead by five points. Ardmoy got back into the game and levelled it. Kilmeena had the final say however and hit the final score of the game to take the win. 2019 was an eventful season for this group of players. In total, 41 players lined out for the senior squad and a further 25 for the U-21 team. The future is bright for this squad of players. Training will begin again in early January 2020.