Clontibret Camogie News.

Amazing! That probably sums up the terrific support we had for our 17^th Annual Cake and Jumble Sale last Saturday. From early afternoon it was ‘all systems go’ as everything was set out in readiness for the sale but with donations still coming in and customers arriving from as far away as Emyvale, Armagh and Lough Egish, well ahead of the appointed opening time, it was a case of ‘flat to the mat’ until after 10.00pm.

A huge ‘Thank you’ to all whose generosity made the event possible – those who baked, donated a huge range of sale items or donated money. ‘Thank you’ also to those who provided the novelties for the various ‘Guess stalls’ and of course those who supported the event on Saturday. Our Clothes Collection, held in conjunction with the Sale, also proved so popular with a room upstairs in the Centre virtually filled. This was collected on Wednesday, but not until even more contributions were received early in the week!

Many thanks to the Community Centre Committee, and especially Gerry Reilly, whose support was invaluable and to the club members themselves, both young and … not so young! … who did a massive day’s work on Saturday. Particular thanks to Gerard Greenan who is a welcome sight every year with his jeep and trailer about 9pm!! Incidentally, a number of unsold items have been donated to the St.Vincent de Paul shop, other charity shops or recycled.

Our fundraising reaches its zenith tomorrow (Fri) when our Annual Draw will be held in conjunction with the Clubs Christmas party in the GAA Club Rooms at 8.00pm. This event is primarily to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our underage players both at club and county level and to announce and honour our ‘Senior Player of the Year 2012’. Food will be served at 8.00pm and ‘hashtag’ will perform a few numbers to add to the festive occasion.

Yet again, additional Draw cards had to be printed last weekend such was the demand for lines and, due to the generosity of so many, additional prizes of wine, chocolates and biscuits have been added to the list bringing the total prizes from 10 to 15. Sellers are asked to return their cards to Scoil Mhuire or to Marie/Aisling before Friday evening.

Apart from the Cake and Jumble Sale itself, Interesting encounters proved quite a talking point last weekend. In the midst of the hustle and bustle on Saturday none other than Nicola Morgan, home from Australia, breezed into the Community Centre! Customers, stalls and money were all temporarily abandoned in the rush to welcome her! Nicola will spend Christmas with her family before flying out again early in 2013. Meanwhile ‘across the pond’ Marie, who had scheduled a visit to Helen (Hughes) into her calendar many months ago, was strolling around London taking in the sights when who should they encounter but the Kerr brothers, Aidan and Dermot!  No doubt a lot of catching up took place in the hours that followed. And then on Sunday morning, while assiduously attending to the customers in ‘Owenies’, who should Aisling Greenan come face-to- face with only one Jim McGuiness, the Donegal trainer, stocking up en route to Donegal following his appearance on the ‘Saturday Night Show’ with Brendan O Connor. Being the polite girl she is, Aisling immediately thanked him for the lovely Donegal jersey, resplendent with the names of all their senior football players which is a prize in Friday’s Draw, and Jim was equally delighted to meet someone from the club in person and wished the Club well!

Finally, congratulations to Peadar Morgan, who has been chosen as ‘Personality of the Year’ in the Rehab People of the Year Awards. Peadar and the Clontibret Wildlife Centre are the proud sponsors of the senior team’s polo shirts and this latest honour is one that is richly deserved.