* The hearty laugh, the beaming smile, the devilish craic, and a man for a song. These are some of the memories of the late great Leo Flanagan. Of course there was so much more to the man. To us a great club man; a former player, manager, committee man and an ardent supporter of the town. To his family a devout son and father, a leader, a hero, a man of conviction and last and by no means least a man of great faith and belief. Leo passed away on Monday of last week after a long illness which he met head on and which he bore with great dignity. His last football outing was to see Down play Tyrone in Pairc Esler at the beginning of the National League. He followed Down all over the country with his beloved wife Marion by his side until she passed away suddenly in August 2011. He was such a Down fan that he had a friend of this scribe ring him whilst he was on a holiday cruise with Marion to let him know the result and a complete match report from a wet and sodden Pairc Esler! Leo was part of the great town teams of 1979 and 1982. His friends and colleagues from those teams were present at his funeral last Thursday lead by his manager and captain of the day Danny Hillen & Kevin McElroy respectively. The boys from those teams formed a guard of honour and Leo would have been very proud of them. To Leo’s children Shay, Ciara, Aideen, Tara, Gráinne and Bridin, to his mother Kathleen, to Gerry his brother who was also a member of the 1982 team and to his other brothers Hugh, Anthony, Paddy, & Martin and sisters Mary, Bernadette, Rosaleen, Pauline, Katrina and Monica & the wide Flanagan family circle we offer you all our sincere sympathy for your loss. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
* Shorty Trainor got his first look at the senior panel on Sunday with two competitive games against The Moy from Tyrone. Both Town teams won comfortably playing some good football. There were some great displays in both games and it will be food for thought for the management before the campaign’s begin in earnest with the Premiere Reserve League starting next Sunday and the All County Senior Football League starting 12th April 2013.
* The winter coaching programme for Primary School Children has resumed again on Tuesday 26 February 2012. A reminder to you of the times; 6pm for P1 to P4 and at 7pm for P5 to P7. Again this course is free for all members and you can register on the night. All new members welcome. Again and please note that all children must have and wear gum shields during these training sessions. Refer to http://www.gaa.ie/ for more information. All new members are welcome.
* The Annual Awards Night will be held in the Club on Saturday 9 March 2013. Tickets for the night will cost £15.00. Tickets will be available later in the week.
* Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting of all juvenile coaches last Friday night in the Social Club.
* What a week it has been in Activ8! Old lads acting briefly like young lads then reverting to their present self. The right honourable focus breathed and damaged his groin. He didn’t realise he had to actually move and make a tackle in the tag rugby! Still he was given half a dozen lives which he managed to use up all at once! It has been very encouraging the turnout to all the activities through the first two weeks. We thank everyone who has participated so far and to the activity leaders for the time they have spent in devising their programmes from week to week. There is still time to register and take part in the events.
* Thank you to all the members who worked around the club on what was a busy last Sunday. As stated earlier there was Activ8 activities, bingo and two games. Thanks to everyone for their time.
* Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 Camogie training will commence this evening Wednesday 27 February 2013 in St.Malachy’s Primary School from 6.15pm – 7.15pm. Please wear suitable foot wear which will not mark the floor.
* Thank you to those members who stated that they wished to assist with the running of the website. We still require others to assist. Please also put forward your ideas as to what you wish to see on our website. Please contact Martin McClean with your ideas.
* Hurling coaching will continue on Thursday evenings at St Malachy’s Primary School at 6.00pm. From 6.00pm to 7.00pm coaching will cater for P1 to P4 boys. 7.00pm to 8.00pm will cater for P5 to year 8 boys eligible to play U12 hurling in 2013.
* The lotto numbers for this week were 16, 23, 24 & 27. There were no jackpot winners and no £20 winners. Next Week’s Jackpot is £3300.
