Tourlestrane leading the way in Sligo GAA club football leagues
At the top of the Pinergy Division One,, Tourlestrane continued their impressive start to the 2025 season with an emphatic 5-16 to 1-15 win away to Enniscrone Kilglass. The west Sligo side, newly promoted to Division One after an extended absence, have had a baptism of fire in the top tier playing against the reigning championship and league winners in rounds one and round two before last weekend's encounter against a Tourlestrane side eager to show that the form they had them win seven county titles in a row from 2016 to 2023 has not deserted them.
Cathal Fleming, twice, Rian Bailey and Brian Egan were among the goals for the visitors while Tom Bailey, now well settled back with the club after his efforts for the Sligo U20s, notched four points.
St Molaise Gales, who had been co-leaders at the start of play were defeated for the first time in this year's league by Shamrock Gaels at Coola, with both sides shorn of their intercounty squad members, the home side held a three point advantage at the break but turned in a powerful second half display to end eight ahead 1-17 to 1-6 at the finish.
Having secured their first win of the season on home turf two weeks previously, county champions Coolera Strandhill found the going tough on the road again as Coolaney Mullinabreena found the net on four occasions to secure an eight point 4-11 to 1-12 win at Nace O'Dowd Park.
By contrast St Mary's were impressive on their visit to Gurteen where they had eleven points to spare over their hosts Eastern Harps, winning on a 2-23 to 1-15 scoreline.
In the final game of Division One, Curry were frustrated again and are still looking for their first win of the campaign after they went down 2-13 to 0-12 to Drumcliffe Rosses Point.
These results leave Tourlestrane two points clear at the top of the table while at the bottom Curry are now the only side without a point.
In Division Two, Tubbercurry maintained their good form in the quest for an immediate return to Division One when they fashioned a hard fought three-point victory away to St Patrick's 1-16 to 1-13.
Last year's Junior A Champions Ballymote stayed the pace with them however also notching a third win and maintaining an unbeaten record when they defeated neighbours Bunninadden 0-17 to 2.8. That game doubled as the final of the JBG Security sponsored Intermediate Spring League final so Ballymote had the dual pleasure of a trophy to take home as well as the league points.
Geevagh were the other winners in this division with an impressive 15 point margin over Cloonacool who are still looking for their first points of the season.
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St Molaise Gaels and Calry St Joseph's played out a 2-13 to 1-16 draw.
The results leave Ballymote and Tubbercurry clear at the top of the table, both still unbeaten with three wins each while Cloonacool are still looming to get off the mark at the other end with Calry just a point ahead.
In the Fureys of Sligo Division Three Shamrock Gaels are now top of the table on their own after a 0-16 to 1-13 draw against Eastern Harps.
The Riverstown side are just one point ahead of four clubs on the table. St Mary's and Drumcliffe Rosses Point are among those four but the Sligo town side had the bragging rights for the weekend after a comprehensive 4-15 to 1-9 win against the Oxfield side at Oxfield.
They are joined by St John's who were three point, 3-9 to 1-12 winners over St Farnan's, and Castleconnor who had an impressive 10 points to spare over Tourlestrane.
In the final game of the Division, St Michaels got their first win on the season in spectacular style notching 7-17 to Owenmore Gaels' 1-8, a result that leaves the Collooney based side rooted to the bottom of the Division Three rankings after three rounds.
In Division 4A where last weekend's games were only the second round of the competition, St Patrick's are leading the way a point clear of the rest while Tubbercurry bring up the rear.
In Division 4B St John's are two points clear after two rounds with St Michael's at the other end of the table still awaiting their first points.
All Four Divisions are in action again this weekend with games across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Tourlestrane leading the way in Sligo GAA club football leagues
At the top of the Pinergy Division One,, Tourlestrane continued their impressive start to the 2025 season with an emphatic 5-16 to 1-15 win away to Enniscrone Kilglass. The west Sligo side, newly promoted to Division One after an extended absence, have had a baptism of fire in the top tier playing against the reigning championship and league winners in rounds one and round two before last weekend's encounter against a Tourlestrane side eager to show that the form they had them win seven county titles in a row from 2016 to 2023 has not deserted them. Cathal Fleming, twice, Rian Bailey and Brian Egan were among the goals for the visitors while Tom Bailey, now well settled back with the club after his efforts for the Sligo U20s, notched four points. St Molaise Gales, who had been co-leaders at the start of play were defeated for the first time in this year's league by Shamrock Gaels at Coola, with both sides shorn of their intercounty squad members, the home side held a three point advantage at the break but turned in a powerful second half display to end eight ahead 1-17 to 1-6 at the finish. Having secured their first win of the season on home turf two weeks previously, county champions Coolera Strandhill found the going tough on the road again as Coolaney Mullinabreena found the net on four occasions to secure an eight point 4-11 to 1-12 win at Nace O'Dowd Park. By contrast St Mary's were impressive on their visit to Gurteen where they had eleven points to spare over their hosts Eastern Harps, winning on a 2-23 to 1-15 scoreline. In the final game of Division One, Curry were frustrated again and are still looking for their first win of the campaign after they went down 2-13 to 0-12 to Drumcliffe Rosses Point. These results leave Tourlestrane two points clear at the top of the table while at the bottom Curry are now the only side without a point. In Division Two, Tubbercurry maintained their good form in the quest for an immediate return to Division One when they fashioned a hard fought three-point victory away to St Patrick's 1-16 to 1-13. Last year's Junior A Champions Ballymote stayed the pace with them however also notching a third win and maintaining an unbeaten record when they defeated neighbours Bunninadden 0-17 to 2.8. That game doubled as the final of the JBG Security sponsored Intermediate Spring League final so Ballymote had the dual pleasure of a trophy to take home as well as the league points. Geevagh were the other winners in this division with an impressive 15 point margin over Cloonacool who are still looking for their first points of the season. ADVERTISEMENT St Molaise Gaels and Calry St Joseph's played out a 2-13 to 1-16 draw. The results leave Ballymote and Tubbercurry clear at the top of the table, both still unbeaten with three wins each while Cloonacool are still looming to get off the mark at the other end with Calry just a point ahead. In the Fureys of Sligo Division Three Shamrock Gaels are now top of the table on their own after a 0-16 to 1-13 draw against Eastern Harps. The Riverstown side are just one point ahead of four clubs on the table. St Mary's and Drumcliffe Rosses Point are among those four but the Sligo town side had the bragging rights for the weekend after a comprehensive 4-15 to 1-9 win against the Oxfield side at Oxfield. They are joined by St John's who were three point, 3-9 to 1-12 winners over St Farnan's, and Castleconnor who had an impressive 10 points to spare over Tourlestrane. In the final game of the Division, St Michaels got their first win on the season in spectacular style notching 7-17 to Owenmore Gaels' 1-8, a result that leaves the Collooney based side rooted to the bottom of the Division Three rankings after three rounds. In Division 4A where last weekend's games were only the second round of the competition, St Patrick's are leading the way a point clear of the rest while Tubbercurry bring up the rear. In Division 4B St John's are two points clear after two rounds with St Michael's at the other end of the table still awaiting their first points. All Four Divisions are in action again this weekend with games across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Sligo's Cormac Finn wins All-Ireland handball title on his 21st birthday
Once again this epic final went all the way to a tie-break third game, as did his All-Ireland semi-final against Caolan Daly of Tyrone. However and equally importantly, Cormac Finn emerged the victor in a high quality, energy-sapping contest with Jack Doyle of Kilkenny on an overall 21-8, 17-21, 11-4 scoreline. The only other Sligo handballer to achieve senior status was Ballymote's Francis McCann, who defeated Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy in the Junior Singles final twenty-four years ago. Three year's later the Intermediate grade was introduced for the first time as another necessary step to senior grading status and many great handballers, including Paul Brady of Cavan, Dessie Keegan of Mayo in more recently Galway's Martin Mulkerrins successfully claimed that honour. There was little doubt that Cormac Finn was well-prepared both mentally and physically for the career-defining task and he completely dominated proceedings in the opening game, reeling off ace after ace without reply to lead 11 aces to 5 and then 15 aces to 8 and that was as good as it got for Doyle as Finn took the opener in some style 21 aces to 8. As the players returned for the second game the main question was could Cormac Finn sustain this incredible level of excellence against a seasoned competitor like Jack Doyle. Finn continued his domination of the contest and built a healthy lead at 14 aces to 8. However Doyle came much more into the match at this point and the sides were level for the first time at 15 aces all with everything to play for but it was Jack Doyle who secured it with a number of fine kill shots to add the necessary four aces to force to force the match to a tie-break third game. This was a real test of character for Cormac Finn who now found himself in exactly the same situation as he did a week ago in this semi-final but Finn had learned much previous experiences of tie-break games to 11 aces and he once again dominated from the off as the Kilkenny challenge faded greatly. Finn led 6 aces to 1 early on and then 9 aces to 3. Jack Doyle still battled but at the fourth attempt, Cormac Finn deservedly secured the final two aces he needed for the title. The final was expertly refereed by another former intermediate singles All-Ireland winner, Michael Finnegan, who would also go on to achieve multiple senior All-Ireland titles, primarily with doubles partner Paul Brady of Cavan. It has been known for some time in handball circles that Cormac Finn was something very special, a once in a generation handballer who hails from a county with a proud handball heritage that has craved success on the biggest stage in recent years. Minor and U21 titles in a three year period paved the way for Cormac Finn's epic moment. It was a poignant occasion too for all who supported him on this journey, his coaches including Martin Golden and Francis McCann at the Ballymote club who gave him the belief as well did Paul Hedderman who worked tirelessly with him in more recent times and of course his father, Michael, and the family who followed him every step of the way. Next up for Finn is a chance to repeat Sunday's feat in the intermediate grade 60x30 or softball code. He will hope to put the loss in last year's final to Diarmuid Mulkerrins of Galway behind him and he can take much encouragement from this epic success, an all too rare intermediate singles title in 40x20 at the very first attempt on his 21st birthday.
Irish Times
01-05-2025
- Irish Times
Teahupoo successfully defends his Stayers Hurdle title at Punchestown
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