We were
honoured with the return of a few of our past players to strengthen
our Senior Panel in the 2002 season. A total of 58 members were registered
with Sperrin Óg this year.
In 2002 Sperrin Óg competed in the Tyrone Crystal Under 14 League
and Championship, Grade One Elaine Treanor Juvenile League and Kelly's
Inn Grade One Juvenile Championship, Grade Two Minor League and Championship
and the Tony Fox Division Two Senior League and Tommy McGarvey Intermediate
Championship.
SENIOR
PANEL :: The Senior Panel commenced their season with their first
training session on 18th February under the management of Francis Keenan
and Mickey Beggs. Maggie Carland captained the team for the 2002 season.
The Senior League began on 25th May with a home fixture against Drumquin
in which they secured their first two league points on a convincing
score of 2-12 to 0-4. The winning streak continued with hard earned
victories over old rivals Loughmacrory, Aghyaran, neighbours Badoney
and St Endas. We also had walkovers from Sigersons and Trillick allowing
us to win the Division II League Title for the first time coming through
the campaign with full points. The Tommy McGarvey Championship began
with a Quarter Final fixture on 14th June against Drumquin. The team
travelled to Fintona for the big game - unfortunately Drumquin were
unable to field allowing us to go through to the Semi Final on 9th August
against Trillick. This game was played at Beragh and proved not as easy
as we imagined it would be, however it resulted in another win on a
score of 3-14 to 3-04. On 24th August all roads lead to Pomeroy for
the Intermediate Championship Final against Aghyaran. A great display
of ladies Football was provided on the evening. Showing great skill
and determination Sperrin Óg lifted the Tommy McGarvey Championship
cup on a score of 0-17 to 1-06. The Seniors then progressed to represent
Tyrone in the Ulster Intermediate Championship for the first time in
club history. At the Quarter Final stage they faced Ardara - Donegal
Champions with a home venue on the 15th September. After a thrilling
game it ended level at full time. It progressed to a nail-biting extra
time performance and Sperrin Óg came out winners with a narrow
margin of 3 points to spare. The next encounter of the Championship
took place on Sunday 6th October meeting Newtownbutler - Fermanagh Champions
at the Semi Final stage. Unfortunately we were defeated by a much stronger
and experienced side on the day and ended all hopes of Ulster glory.
However, it was a great experience for all involved and will be fondly
remembered for many years. Francis and Mickey must be congratulated
on their efforts and commitment to the Senior squad during a tough and
demanding season. The club is indeed very proud of the entire Senior
panel and management and look forward to seeing the team compete in
the Division One Senior Masterscreen League and Championship in the
2003 season. It has been a great achievement to come from Division Three
to Division One inside two years. This team certainly seems to be going
from strength to strength each year and long may it last.
MINOR PANEL :: The MInor panel trained under the management of Mena
and Bernie Tuohey and Claire Tracey. Karen Teague captained the team
in the 2002 season. They competed in the Grade Two Minor League and
Championship in which they met and defeated such teams as Beragh, Kildress,
Drumquin, Moy, Galbally and Badoney. Unfortunately they were narrowly
beaten by one goal with only a few minutes remaining against Loughmacrory
ending all hopes of League success. The Minors performed well in their
Championship campaign. They defeated Drumquin and Kildress allowing
them to compete in the Grade Two Championship final. Once again Loughmacrory
provided the opposition. After a hard hitting battle and a certain amount
of bad luck on the day the Minors were denied Cchampionship success.
Our thanks must go to the players and management for their dedication
and commitment throughout the season.
JUVENILE PANEL :: Helen Clarke and Mary Keenan undertook the
training and managing of this Juvenile Panel. Maureen Teague captained
the team in the 2002 season. The girls participated in the Grade One
Juvenile League and Championship competing against some of the top teams
in the county. Along the way they beat Dromore, St Macartans, St Enda's
and old rivals Loughmacrory. They also gained points from Errigal Ciaran
who played an unregistered player. Unfortunately this was not enough
to lift the Juvenile League title. In the Championship the girls met
Aodh Ruadh in the Quarter Final stage. They put up a good battle but
were unable to overcome a gallant Dungannon side. The club is very proud
of our Juvenile Panel in their first year in Grade One football. It
proved to be a great experience for the team and our thanks must go
to each and every one of the girls and their management for their commitment
and dedication throughout their long and gruelling sessions. Our congratulations
must also go at this stage to Helen Clarke who managed to fit in 'Tying
the Knot' to our local Councillor Sean Clarke while training the girls
- The club wishes you many happy days in your future together as Husband
and Wife.
UNDER 14 PANEL :: This panel competed in the Tyrone Crystal Under
14 Grade One League and Championship for the first time under the management
of Peggy and Patricia McCullagh. Sarah Potter captained this team in
the 2002 season. This proved to be a stepping stone of experience for
our young Under 14 team. They met the top teams in this section such
as Aodh Ruadh, Errigal Ciaran, Carrickmore, St Enda's, Dromore and St
Macartans. The girls managed to secure a total of four points out of
a possible fourteen. However this did not deter the girls in any way,
if anything it motivated them to gain on their speed and skills for
the future. These young girls are a credit to our club and they are
the future of Sperrin Óg. Again we thank the girls for their
determination and commitment throughout this hard-hitting season - well
done girls.
COUNTY TEAMS :: We were represented on various County Teams throughout
this year. We congratulate Louise McDermott, Kim McCullagh and Emma
Daly who represented the club at Under 14 County Level. To Eimear and
Maureen Teague who lined out for Tyrone Under 16 team. To Eimear again
who played for the Tyrone Minors - Well done girls. The club is indeed
very proud of you all. An added bonus to our successful year is to have
Eimear Teague picked to go forward to the County Senior squad for the
2003 season - we look forward to seeing your debut with Tyrone Ladies
in the coming season.
GAELIC
FOR GIRLS CLUB :: One of the highlights for the club this year was
undoubtedly the six-week Gaelic for girls club, which we ran from March
to April. There were thirty-three Primary School children from Greencastle,
Mountfield and Killyclogher area who took part in this fun event. It
was a great success for the club in which all the girls seemed to enjoy.
The Club ended with a presentation night in the Community Hall. All
the Parents were invited to attend. The girls were presented with T-Shirts
with our catchy logo - 'I learned to play the proper way' - printed
on them. Mary Connolly, Chairperson of Tyrone Ladies and Eilis Gormley,
Tyrone panelist also presented the girls with glossy certificates for
their completion of the six-week club. A video was shown to all the
parents of what the girls learned in the six weeks and refreshments
were served for everyone afterwards. All in all this was one of the
best events held by the club for many years. It is a great way to get
young girls introduced to the club and also to teach them the rules
of Ladies Gaelic Football in a fun way. I believe this could be an annual
event within the Club. Our sincere thanks goes to all the club members
who got involved and attended each week to coach the girls and to the
helpers who attended the presentation to serve the refreshments. It
would not have been such a great success without the help of everyone.
FASHION SHOW :: What can we say ... this would have to be one
of the most successful and enjoyable fundraisers Sperrin Óg have
ever organised. More than 300 people came to the Community Centre to
get a look at the local talent on the 'Catwalk' on 17th May. Several
shop outlets sponsored their clothes for the night such as Bowes Brothers,
Silks, Blooming Kids, Sportsgear, Termon Embroidery and Cuba. Sunglasses
were also modelled from Smith's Opticians and hats from House of Hats.
Flowers were sponsored from The Daisy Chain and carpet from Conway Carpets
while hair for our models was sponsored from K o Ko. Many of our outfits
were modelled by the Committee members, Players and Supporters of Sperrin
Óg and Greencastle GFC - which was a spectacle in itself. Our
thanks go out to all the models who performed so well on the night -
the show could not have gone on without you. A total of £2,500
was raised in aid of the new pitch development. We thank everyone who
helped to make this event such a success - Paul Tuohey for his endless
work in the setting up of the stage and the catwalk, to Peter Noel for
the lighting, to Claire Rose McDermott for all her organisation and
for looking after the models, to Smikes Disco, to all the shops for
sponsoring their clothes, to Smiths Opticians, The Diasy Chain and Conway
Carpets, to Omagh District Council and McGinns for the wine, to Katie
Beggs and Greencastle Drama Group for the flowers throughout the hall.
A special word of thanks must go to Fiona Teague and the 'Greencastle
Lightening' group who surprised everyone with their entertaining sketch
during the interval. Finally to the club members who came together and
worked tirelessly to make a success of the night. This event proved
how if we all work together in organising things we could make a success
of anything.
2002 DINNER DANCE
Sperrin
Óg would like to express their thanks to Mary Donaghy, Patricia
McCullagh, Peggy McCullagh and Teresa McCullagh for compiling the
above information.
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HISTORY
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2002