13-10-04 - Killeavy

Friday 4 th October 2013
St. Moninna’s G.A.C.
Killeavy Club News
Telephone: 028 3026 7558
www.killeavygaa.com
secretary.killeaveystmoninnes.armagh@gaa.ie
Killeavy mourn loss of club legend
The Killeavy club is much the
poorer this week with the death
of Thomas Mallon whose
influence on generations of
young Killeavy men could never
be understated. He served our
club with great distinction for
over fifty years as player, coach,
administrator, willing worker
and guide.
In recent years, Tom had, with wife Mary, been responsible for
the weekly Killeavy whist which has been so successful that it
had to move from the ‘hut’ in Meigh to the larger Youth Club
premises. He also performed a much needed but very
unheralded role as a collector for the weekly club lottery.
His legacy however is based in coaching. The Killeavy club is
recognized throughout Armagh and further afield for the
strength and success of its underage teams. This strength and
the underpinning structures are a direct legacy of the work of
Tom Mallon.
It is hard to believe now when we look at a club with almost 400
juvenile members that only 40 years ago there was no such
thing as underage club football. All youth football was then
controlled by the schools including the Abbey CBS who Tom
captained to MacRory Cup success in 1959. When clubs were
given permission to organise at underage level, it was Tom
Mallon who led the Killeavy charge. Our first underage title
came when he managed our u16s to the county championship
in 1974 and for almost thirty years he could be found most
nights of the week coaching and managing generations of young
Killeavy footballers. Tom liked winning but participating and
playing the game in the ‘right’ way were all important. In many
ways, Tom’s coaching was years ahead of its time as the
methods he espoused have become the base for today’s Go
Games model of coaching.
No better tribute could be paid to the memory of Tom Mallon
than that of Steven McDonnell who is on record as saying that
Tom was the greatest influence on his career and who invited
him to be his special guest when picking up his Player of the
Year trophy in 2003. He might not have made us all into Steven
McDonnell’s but he treated us all with the same enthusiasm,
care and respect.
That mutual respect was recently demonstrated when Tom and
Mary organised a reunion of the u16 championship winning
team from 1974. When Tom called, from all across the country
they came – and a most enjoyable night of memories and craic
was had by all.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Tom’s wife Mary, son
Damien, daughter Ciara and the wider circle of family and his
many friends. Go ndeana Dia trócaire ar an anam.
Juniors fall in championship semi‐final
Killeavy’s Junior footballers failed in their attempt to pull off a
hat‐trick of giant killing victories went they went down to a
comprehensive defeat at the hands of Clonmore in the Athletic
Grounds last Friday night. The early stages of the game were
fairly even as both teams took their time to settle. It took five
minutes for the first score of the game, a Clonmore point and
then it was a tale of missed chances at either end until
Clonmore scored again to make it just 0.02 to 0.00 after 15
mins. This however was the signal for the flood gates to open
and in the next five minutes, Clonmore added four more
points. The large crowd of Killeavy supporters had to wait until
the 23rd minute of the half before Joe Grant opened our
account. An excellent Johnny McKevitt point from play gave
some hope of a fightback but Clonmore were quick to reestablish
their authority and scored four points without reply to
lead 0.10 – 0.02 at the break.
The first score of the second half came from Kealan O’Hare who
was probably Killeavy’s best player on the night. Kealan was
also to score Killeavy’s second point of the half but
unfortunately Clonmore had already added five more of their
own at that stage. The final bit of Killeavy resistance was
probably one of the scores of the night whenever Niall
Hollywood sent over a towering point from the
sideline. Killeavy continued to fight right to the end but
Clonmore tagged on another three points to confirm their
progression to the final. The final whistle brought to an end an
excellent season for Killeavy II. A late push just failed to find a
promotion place but they gave their supporters a great run in
the championship and will have served notice that they should
be a real power in this competition next year when it becomes
restricted to Junior teams only. Well done to managers
Raymond O’Hanlon, Gary McParland and the entire team for
their efforts this season.
Seniors retain top flight status
It was a bit nerve wracking at times but Tir na nOg eventually
managed to overcome St. Paul’s in the Intermediate
championship semi‐final replay. This result also means that St.
Paul’s cannot retain their league status by virtue of
Intermediate success and therefore we are confirmed as a
Senior league team for next year. Well done to the team and
the management have had to battle all year against shortages of
personnel because of injury, work commitments or suspension.
Congratulations on staying up but maybe just a little more
breathing space next year please.
Minors in Semi‐final action
Only one match this week but it is a big one. Tomorrow at 2pm
in Mullaghbawn, Killeavy’s minors take on Silverbridge in the
championship semi‐final. Come along to give them a shout.
This bulletin kindly sponsored by
54 Ayallogue Rd
Killeavy
Newry
Co. Down BT35 8RG
Tel: (028) 3025 0397 Mob: 07974 636 887
Ulster Club of the Year – #OneLifeOneClub

Could you sing for Killeavy?
Senior Scór is coming up again next February and we are putting
the call out for anyone interested in taking part to contact Ann
McCormick. In particular, Ann is looking for male or female
singers for the ballad group while the ability to play an
instrument would be an extra help. You can contact Ann on 079
0793 1434.
Heart Screening
Seamus Campbell is arranging another heart screening session
at the club. The session is open to all 14 to 35 year olds and
costs £35 per person. A minimum number of 20 people are
required. Please text your name and age to Seamus 077 1520
1895 and he will try to get it organised.
Social Club News
Due to upcoming events, chairs and tables need to be returned
to the social club. If you have borrowed, please return! Don't
make us have to call round. Contact Pat Quinn or Eddie Cassidy!
Killeavy Girls Winter Fitness Programme
Primary Girls 7‐8pm
Secondary Girls 8‐9pm
in Killeavy Youth Club every Tuesday
Activities include: Boxercise, Zumba, Unihoc,
Basketball, Dodgeball and many more
Come along and join the fun. Cost £2.00
Destination Croke Park – Take 2
Over fifty Killeavy members and friends had a corporate day out
at the All‐Ireland ladies finals in Dublin last Sunday courtesy of a
national competition won by Sinead Reel. The picture below
shows Sinead and some of the group enjoying their day out.
After the success of last year’s Killeavy calendar, the club are
hoping to repeat the effort for 2014. You can join in by letting
the club know about a particular date that is special to you –
maybe a special birthday or an anniversary or maybe a wedding,
etc. Let us know and we will put it in the calendar, for a small
fee of course, with all funds going towards club development.
The September sponsors in the Killeavy calendar were:
Lottery Results
6 9 18 19
There was NO winner of this week’s Jackpot of £4,400
There were FOURTEEN Match 3 Winners ‐ £25 each
NAME ADDRESS SELLER
Pat Winters Meigh Maura Lenaghan
Eamon Grant c/o Sean Callan Sean Callan
Niall Trainor Cloughoge Club Killeavy
John McKevitt Killean Club Killeavy
Paul Kane Cloughoge Oak Barrel
B. McCann Seavers Road Oak Barrel
Tommy O’Hanlon Omeath Rd Corn Dolly
Patricia McKevitt Dublin Rd Today’s Local Killean
Rose Mallon Low Road Gerry Mallon
Josie Dooley Dromintee Paul Mulkerns
Paul O’Rourke Foughilletra Rd Paul Mulkerns
Gabriel O’Hanlon Parkview Gabriel O’Hanlon
Roger Clarke c/o Mickey McCrink Mickey McCrink
John Mooney c/o Jim McCooey Jim McCooey
Promoter – £25 – Dolores Shields
Prize money this week £375.00 Jackpot Next Week
£4,500
Ulster Club of the Year – #OneLifeOneClub