Thursday 16 January 2014

St. John's GAA Club Sligo - Stenson Park Officially Opened








Hoganstand Article on St. John's G.A.A. Stenson Park Opening


St John’s GAA Club celebrated its 25TH. anniversary on Sunday  22nd October 2012 with a family day and the official opening of our new pitch Stenson Park. Although the weather was not ideal, the day was a great success with a large attendance and a great atmosphere. The committee had worked tirelessly over the last number of weeks preparing the clubhouse and facilities and it really paid off as the refreshments, grounds and entertainment were fantastic on the day.
The day started with our U8 & U10 teams playing challenge games against Curry on the new pitch. The pitch was in great condition and players all put a lot of effort in with some nice football played by all. Both clubs were a credit to the underage coaching from their respective clubs.
The crowd then moved down to the clubhouse where St John’s county board representative, Colm Nevin, got the official opening ceremony under way. Colm thanked all for attending and welcomed our guests of honour GAA President Liam O’Neill, county board chairman Cyril Feehily, Curry chairman Terrance Marren, Fr. Murray and Rev. Alan Mitchell.
He then introduced club chairman John Leyden who gave us a brief history of the club and the grounds. He thanked the Ward, Mullane and Higgins families for their part in allowing the club to gain the land needed to construct the pitch and facilities and Eamon Boylan for initially identifying the grounds. John also talked about the great success the club has had over the last 25 years with our 30 successful championships, numerous county players and an all-star. John then spoke to all about Johnny Stenson and his contribution to St John’s, Curry and Sligo GAA. He recalled the work that Johnny had done for the club and also his own individual achievements such as his performance in the 1973 league semi-final against Offaly, his 1975 Connacht medal and representing his province in 1976. He reminded us that these, and other factors, were just a small part of the reason why the new facility was being named after Johnny.
Colm then introduced county board chairman Cyril Feehily who spoke about the club and its development of the years and congratulated St John’s on the success that has been achieved to date. He also spoke about Johnny and his achievements and gave us an anecdote of his playing days. Finally he complemented the club underage set up and wished the club all the best for the future.
Next came the guest of honour GAA president Liam O’Neill. This was Liam’s first visit to Sligo as GAA president. An tUachtarán began by complementing the club on the continued development for the underage players and also complimented the local community for recognising the pride that GAA take in developing and that the part that all community members have in this. He also commended the club for this expansion in these difficult times and remarked that it was a great message and achievement by all in involved that this project was undertaken and completed.
An tUachtarán also acknowledged Johnny and the honour that was being bestowed on him by naming the pitch after him and passed congratulation on behalf of the GAA to his family on this achievement.
He explained that the new pitch and continued development of clubs was vital for the entire GAA community and the more we can do to remove all obstacles from kids getting involved early with all 6 sports within the GAA (football, hurling, camogie, ladies football, handball and rounder’s) the more variety they can be offered in the future.
He finally wished the club continued success for the next 25 years and congratulated all involved with the organisation of the day and development of the club and, with great applause, officially declared Stenson Park open. Club secretary Margaret Heffernan made a presentation to mark the occasion and presentation was also made to Catherin Stenson.
The pitch was officially blessed by Fr. Murray and Rev. Mitchell, who conducted a short service and read some poignant Hebrew passages.
A fantastic day and ceremony was capped with a senior challenge game between county champions Curry and St John’s. Curry played great football and look very strong for the upcoming Connacht Club Championship game and we wish them the very best of success.
The club would like to thank the organising committee chairman Mick Barrett and committee members Niall Gordon, Colm Nevin, Ray Henry, Pj McGarrigle, Willie O’Grady, Charlie Jordan, Bridie McLean, Nuala Flannigan, Margaret Heffernan and all others involved in this fantastic day. The club would also like to thank Michael Kelly and Dylan Healy for music.


Lastly the club would like to extend a sincere thank you to GAA President Liam O’Neill, county board chairman Cyril Feehily, Curry chairman Terrance Marren, Fr. Murray, Rev. Alan Michell and to all who attended to celebrate with us and make this a most special and memorable day for the club.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

St. John's G.A.A Club Officers History

St. Johns G.A.A. Club List of Officers History
Chairman                                                                             Secretary
Paddy Doherty                  1987-1989                                   Paddy Galvin                1987-1989
Barnes Murphy                  1990-1992                                  Michael Barrett             1990
Paddy Galvin                      1993-1995                                 Charlie Jordan               1991-1996
John Leyden                      1996-1998                                  Sean Smith                    1997
Christy Murphy                 1999-2002                                  Pat Corcoran                 1998-2002
Ray Henry                         2003-2006                                  Fergal Henry                  2003-2004
P J Garrigle                        2007-2008                                 Bridie McLean                2005-2008
Niall Gordon                      2009-2010                                 Ray Henry Jnr                 2009-2010
John Leyden                      20011-2012                               Andrew Valley                2011
Colm Nevin                       2013                                           Margaret Heffernan        2012-2013
                                                                                            Sharon Smith                   2014

Treasurer                                                                          PRO
Tommy McManus           1987-1995                                  Mary Flynn                       1988-1987
Padraig Greene                1996-1999                                  Pat Corcoran                    1998
Pat McCaffrey                 2000                                           Fergal Henry                      1999
Johnny Stenson                2001                                           Brian Leyden                      2000-2001
P J McGarrigle                2002-2005                                 John Leyden                       2002-2003
Willie O’Grady                2006-2010                                 Michael McNamara Snr     2004
Gerry Quinn                    2011-                                          Maurice Galvin                   2007-2008
                                                                                          Dave Harty                       2009-2010
                                                                                          Andrew Valley                   2011-2012
                                                                                          Niall Gordon                      2013
                                                                                          Robert Fahy                       2014
                                                                                                                               


St. John's Club Officers 2014

Position
Nominee
Chairman
Colm Nevin
Vice Chairman
Pat Martin
Secretary
Sharon Smith
Assisstant Secretary
Margaret Heffernan
Treasurer
Gerry Quinn
Assisstant  – Treasurer
Willie Grady
Pro
Michael McGee/Robert Fahy
Assisstant Pro
Niall Gordon
Pres
Paddy Galvin / Jean Flynn
Registrar
Thomas Kelly
Patron
Fr Murray/Fr Walsh/Fr Gillolly
Insurance Officer
Bridie/ Noel Hynes
Child Protection
Leave until next Meeting
Coaching Officer
Charlie Jordon
Irish Officer
Eoin O’Sullivan
County Board Officer
Christy Murphy/John Leydon
Substance Abuse Officer
Pauric Greene
Senior Manager
Anthony Brennan


Intermediate
Leave until next meeting

Saturday 11 January 2014

St. Johns GAA Club Lotto


ST JOHNS GAA CLUB LOTTO


The jackpot on the club lotto now stands at €7,000. The next draw takes place in Molly Fultons at 9.00pm on Sunday 12th January. Tickets for the club lotto cost €50 for the year, or you can also pay €5 per month standing order, or tickets for each draw can be purchased for €2. Tickets can be purchased from any club member. Come along on Sunday night to support the club lotto and be in with a chance to win this great prize. There will also be four lucky winners of €25 should the lotto jackpot not be won.



Friday 10 January 2014

St John's G.A.A Club Annual Dinner Dance Saturday 1st February in the Sligo Park






Our Annual Dinner Dance takes place on Saturday February 1st. Celebrating our Junior A & B Teams Championship Success in 2013 as well as a special Hall of Fame award to Gene & Mary Flynn. There will be Player of the Year Awards on the night for Senior, Junior A, Junior B and Young Player of the year. These will be voted on by the players.

Entertainment on the night will be from DJ Scruffy Duffy. We encourage everyone to arrive by 7.30pm and go to the Banquet room bar and not the hotel bar.

Limited Number of Tickets €30 on sale now. Tickets available from Charlie Kelly Barbers, Team Managers, Club Officials.



Tuesday 7 January 2014

Club's List of Achievements

St. John's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Carraroe and the eastern ward of SligoRepublic of Ireland. It is one of the newer clubs in the county, having been formed in 1987 after a re-organisation of the GAA structures in the Sligo urban area. Its grounds formerly known as Cuilbeg have been Renamed Stenson Park in memory of legendary former Sligo player and Curry and St. John's club man Johnny Stenson, they were formerly opened in October 2012 by GAA President Liam O'Neill. 2013 has seen St. John's seniors win ten games from eleven and they will contest the Division 1 league final for the first time in the clubs short history against south Sligo kingpins Tourlestrane. Currently the club fields Senior, Junior A and Junior B teams. The club traditionally draws its players from Carraroe, Cairns Hill, Cranmore, Garavogue and Mail Coach Road which are predominantly areas from Sligo town. The club main rivals are St. Mary's from the western ward of Sligo town. The club is honored to have produced two All Stars in the form of Charlie Harrison and Barnes Murphy. Probably the most famous player to have donned the famous light blue shirt is Shane Filan of Westlife, who has worn the shirt with pride down through the years.
St. John's are without a senior final appearance in the Sligo Senior Championship but have made three semi final appearance's, the club have won one Connacht Junior title in 1999 when they defeated Monivea Abbey
     
          Sligo Junior A Champions 2013

          Sligo Junior B Champions 2013

           Connacht Junior Club Football Championship 1999