18-05-2002
Mountmellick Utd 5 .............Clonaslee Utd 1
MOUNTMELLICK United’s dream of a Counties Major Division and Sheeran Cup double remains on track following this victory over Clonaslee United.
While they need a favour from Abbeyleix Athletic if they are to hold onto top spot in the Major, the Sheeran Cup is entirely in their own hands.
They were always itching to get back into the Sheeran decider after last year’s reversal at the same stage to Dublin side Sheriff, who will be defending their crown against Mountmellick in this weekend’s final.
In the semi-final, Mountmellick had to bounce back from a crushing league defeat at the same venue the previous Thursday to Abbeyleix Athletic.
Clonaslee could have scored after 15 minutes but they fluffed a chance from two yards and Donie O’Mahony cleared the danger.
The next 20 minutes saw both sides create little as most of the football was bogged down in midfield.
35 minutes in Mountmellick created their first decent move when Niall Lynch, Keith Payne and Robbie Hibbitts combined to cross the ball into the six-yard box where Dinny Lynch’s goal-bound shot was helped to the net by a Clonaslee defender.
Clonaslee got the boost they wanted early in the second half when they scored the equaliser from a free and for a five minute spell it looked like they would get on top.
But Mountmellick gradually took control and 12 minutes in a weak kick by Clonaslee was hit straight back to the Clonaslee net by Robbie Hibbitts from 30 yards for a superb opportunist goal.
That goal relaxed Mountmellick and they began to play some fluid, flowing football and 17 minutes into the half Dinny Lynch scored from his brother’s corner.
Some 11 minutes later Owen Smith made it 4-1 from the spot after man of the match Robbie Hibbitts had been felled in the box.
Ten minutes from time Niall Lynch scored the goal of the game when he volleyed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net from 20 yards.
Mountmellick now look forward to the final against Sheriff this Friday in Tolka Park.
Mountmellick:
- D O’Mahony
- A Reddin
- K Payne
- I O’Neill
- J Turner
- O Smith
- N Lynch
- D Lynch
- P Delaney
- R Hibbitts
- J Davis.
- Subs:
- N Cleary for I O’Neill (46 mins)
- P Lee for R Hibbitts (70 mins)
- N Cleary for O Smith (88 mins).
Bus Eireann rejects Mountmellick man’s allegations of payments for work
Allegations of cash payments by private bus operators to employees of Bus Eireann have been refuted by the company. The allegations were made last week by John Horan of Horan Coaches, Mountmellick who said that he made cash payments to Bus Eireann employees for work.
In a statement Bus Eireann said they had fully investigated the allegations against certain named employees of the company. “These allegations have been found to be entirely without foundation,” they said.
“In August 2001 the contract with Horan Coaches for operation of school transport services in the Athlone area was not renewed because of the failure of Horan Coaches to comply with the conditions of the contract.
“In March 2002 the services of Horan Coaches as a contractor on scheduled routes in the Dublin area were dispensed with, because of the attempted intimidation of Bus Eireann staff,” the statement added.
“I repeat I have made cash payments to Bus Eireann employees,” said John Horan. “They expected these payments for work as far as I was concerned. Bus Eireann have refused to confirm or deny that their employees have received cash payments. I have come forward with this information and Bus Eireann are fudging the issue.
“The response from private bus operators has been very supportive,” continued Mr Horan. “Bus Eireann has now been called the Brown Envelope Bus Company. Bus Eireann are trying to frighten me off by threatening legal proceedings if the allegations are unfounded.”
Brian Lynch of Brian Lynch and Associates, Solicitors in Galway stated: “The evidence is there that Bus Eireann received cash payments. I am satisfied from statements made to me that cash payments are very much part of the Bus Eireann culture. An independent enquiry is needed so people will talk.
“Minister O’Rourke has the power to appoint an independent investigator and John Horan calls on her to do so. Fair competition is needed not cash payments. Taxpayer’s money is being wasted. There is a lot of anger within the industry directed towards Bus Eireann.
“Bus Eireann are trying to change the method of giving out contract work in the last few days because of the allegations of Mr Horan, and yet they have not the decency to say that he is in the right.
“While threats of legal proceedings have been made against Mr Horan for the allegations no such proceedings have been issued,” he noted.
Women’s Mini Marathon Group
The women’s mini marathon meet and train group is now up and running in preparation for this year’s event. This will be held in Dublin on Monday, June 3.
The Mountmellick women’s group have come together to fund raise for the Special Olympics 2003, anyone wishing to take part please join the group at 7.30pm Monday to Friday at the square, Mountmellick.
Mountmellick GAA News
Football: Mountmellick lost their first league game during the week when they went down to Courtwood by 1 - 10 to 0 - 7.
On Sunday they played host to senior side St. Mary’s from Rochfordbridge and a very entertaining game was played.
The next games are, Division 4, junior, on Thursday away to Stradbally and Division 2 at home to Harps on Friday night.
Hurling: The hurlers of Mountmellick put in a great performance as they defeated Timahoe on Saturday night at Pairc Acragar. They led at half time by 2 - 4 to 0 - 4 and ran out convincing winners by 3 - 11 to 1- 9. Top score on the night was Aiden Challoner with an impressive 10 points. Other scorers were Michael Barnes 2 - 1 and Diarmuid Grennan 1 - 0.
Ladies GAA
The u/14 Sarsfields team recorded a good won over St. Conleth’s in the League on Thursday by 3 -7 to 2 - 6 in Emo.
In a very close and exciting contest Sarsfields just pulled away at the end to notch up their first win of the competition having failed to Ballylinan in the previous outing.
Sarsfields had some outstanding players inJulianne Culleton, Emma Hayden, Laura Quigley, Siobhan Fitzpatrick.
The intercounty players from the club were extremely busy over the past week as Laois wer in action in two Leinster semi-finals against Meath.
Fiona Whelan, Mary Hyland, Mags McEvoy, Patrice Deffew, Olwyn Farrell and Claire Conlon played with the u/16s on Wednesday in Acragar and Aoife Cleary captained the team at left half forward.
On Friday in Skryne, Mags McEvoy, Patrice Deffew, Fiona Whelan were again on duty along with Grace Weston, Emma McEvoy, Rachel Farrell and Aileen O’Loughlin led the squad at centre forward. Others on the panel included Mary Hyland, Caroline Bermingham, Olwyn Farrell, Claire Conlon, Deirdre Halley.
This weekend the emphasis shifts to National League as Laois take on Monaghan in Division 1 and Westmeath in Division 3 in the quarter finals in O’Moore Park on Sunday.
The senior panel includes Ciara O’Loughlin, Aileen O’Loughlin, Grace Weston, Mags McEvoy, Emma McEvoy is expected to captain the juniors which also includes Rachel Farrell, Patrice Deffew, Caroline Bermingham, Claire Conlon.
In Camogie, Niamh O’Loughlin was full back on the Laois junior squad that survived a late onslaught by Armagh in the National League Division 2 quarter final in Trumera to win by a single point. They now meet Offaly in the semi-final next weekend.
