This evening saw the start of the 2015 Senior League Division 1C season with a home win against Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-10.

The game started very well with us taking a 3 point lead after five minutes with points from Michael Walsh, Jack McDonnell and Barry Brennan. Parke then found a foothold in the game and within a few minutes the teams were level on 3 each.

Kevin McShea regained the lead but again Parke leveled and they took the lead for the only time in the game.

Between the Parke points Barry Brennan was unlucky to be black carded and he was replaced by James Sweeney.

Before half times Jack McDonnell got two points to put us ahead at the break 0-6 to 0-5.

Shortly after the restart Parke leveled the game with a 14yard free but we then tok control and by the 43rd minute the score was 1-8 to 0-6 with a goal and two points from Kevin McShea. The goal came from a great run by Darren Campbell before been cooly hammered to the back of the net by Kevin McShea.

Parke returned with two points before both teams exchanged points with our scores coming from frees from Jack McDonnell and Kevin McShea.

The goal was to be the seperator between the two teams with the final score Swinford 1-10 Parke 0-10.

After been beaten by Parke in round 1 of the league last season today was a well deserved victory and we can look forward to a trip to Ballintubber next Saturday for round 2 against Ballintubber B.

Swinford: Conor Campbell, Jason Carney, Paul McDonagh, Mark Forkan, Fergal Harte, Conor Horan, Danny McNicholas, Michael Walsh, Kevin Doyle, Tom Horkan, Kevin McShea, Liam Moran, Jack McDonnell, Barry Brennan, Darren Campbell. Subs used: James Sweeney, Kevin McDonagh & Pearse Walsh.

Please contact any club officer as soon as  possible if you are interested in purchasing a ticket as we expect to sell the allocation within a couple of weeks.

Topaz Cash for Clubs
Topaz are running a promotion for all clubs at the moment giving the opportunity to win thousand of Euro for the Club. You can pick up a card and begin to collect stamps at Gavaghans Mace & Topaz. The Clubs registration code is 10431.

Coaching Seminar

This weeks fixtures:

Tuesday 7th April 19-00 U16 league Naomh Padraig v Swinford Gaa​ in Ballycastle

Thursday 9th April 19-00 U14 league Swinford GAA​ v Neale at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

Friday 10th April 19-00 U16 League Swinford v Achill at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

Saturday 11th April 18-00 Senior League Div 1C Swinford v Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

Sunday 12th April 12-00 Minor League Ballinrobe v Swinford in Ballinrobe

Sunday 12th April 14-00 Senior League Div 1E Swinford v Shrule/Glencorrib at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

Any changes will be posted on Facebook/Twitter/www.swinfordgaa.ie

Last night (Sunday 5th April) saw the annual dinner dance and award night to honour the clubs achievements in 2014 including the East Mayo Minor B Championship and the County Junior B Championship take place in the Gateway Hotel.

Our Chairman Shane Campbell welcomed everyone to the event and between courses the Minor team of 2014 were presented with their medals by Noel Barry and Eamon Molloy. Noel gave  a brief summary of the teams year including reaching the League final and winning the East Mayo B Championship. The 2014 team manager Michael Smyth was thanked in his absence as he is currently on holidays.

Later the Junior team were honoured and Michael Devaney outlined the teams achievements in the league and championship. Aiden McLoughlin read out a letter from the 2014 Manager Alan Kenendy who unfortunately could not be with us as he is working in Australia. The County Championship medals were presented to the team by Michael and team captain Andy McNulty.

After the meal the club honoured all club members who played for the County in 2014. These were Joshua Smith, James Devaney and Johnny Burke.

A special award was made to the secretary of the finance committee Lorraine Kelly for all her hard work over the past 18months.

It then came to honour the various team players of the year. The minor award was shared by James Devaney and Rory Smith. Unfortuantely Rory was unable to attend as he is playing the Quigley Cup final today. Noel Barry did the honours of presenting the award. The Junior player of the year was awarded to Sean Brady who unfortunately was unable to attend. The Senior player of the year was presented by Billy McNicholas, in the absence of the team management, to our club captain Eoin Gallagher. All were very worthy receipients of their respective awards and represented the club with distinction.

The 2014 hall of fame was presented to Maurice O’Connell who represented Swinford on the Mayo minor team in the 1940’s and played for the club for many years. The hall of fame plaque was presented to his son Eoghan O’Connell in Maurice’s absence.

The 2014 club man of the year was presented to the club PRO Douglas Kelly by club chairman and Shane Campbell.

After all the presentations and the excellent meal a very good band Fraggle Rock played great  tunes for a couple of hours and those that stayed for the music had a great few hours dancing the night away.

Even though there was a very small attendance everyone who came had a very enjoyable evening. Thanks has to go to the members of the social committee, Rita Campbell, Billy McNicholas and Francie McNicholas. A very special thanks to Cathal Kelly and the staff of the Gateway for as always hosting a great night.

If anybody wants photographs of the evening please contact Alan Johnson in Swinford Photography.

Minor League

Please contact any club officer as soon as  possible if you are interested in purchasing a ticket as we expect to sell the allocation within a couple of weeks.