Monaghan Harps Lotto: Numbers 22, 23, 26 and 28. Jackpot of €1,750 not won. Residual prizes: €100 Joanna McKenna c/o clubhouse; €40 Owen Connell c/o himself; €40 Caoimhe Cudden c/o clubhouse; €40 Dara & Denver Treanor c/o Philomena Hughes. Jackpot for Sunday, December 16 is €1,900 and Tessie Connolly and Seán and Kathleen Boyle are on duty. Lotto draw takes place in the clubhouse every Sunday night. All welcome. Anyone who has sold a direct-debit is asked to pass the details on to the Lotto committee as soon as possible, so they can be entered into our weekly draw straight away. The Lotto AGM will take place on Sunday week, December 23, at 8.30pm.

Meeting: The December club meeting takes place tonight (Thursday) in the clubhouse at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to the last club meeting of the year. The football-development meeting scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for next Tuesday (December 18) as a mark of respect to Jim Croarkin (RIP).

Table Quiz: Thanks to everyone who participated in or helped out at our table quiz, which took place in the clubhouse last Friday night, with 20 teams taking part. Owen, Allison and Jennifer Treanor and Eileen McElvaney were convincing winners, while Paddy Kelly’s team edged out Peter Coyle and co. for second place. Well done to Séamus Gallagher on another excellent job as quizmaster and to John Hahessy and everyone else involved in organising the quiz. Thanks also to the correctors and our young members, who entertained the crowd with traditional Irish music. We are very grateful to all our sponsors, who either sponsored a round or donated our excellent prizes. The sponsors were as follows: Brendan McCleary, Smugglers Warehouse, Cllr. Robbie Gallagher, Total Office Supplies, Moneycare, Monaghan Property Sales, Wilsons Clothing, McNally & Finlay, Anthony McArdle, Charley Meats, Westenra Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan Electrical, Jim McConnon, Sam’s Bridge, Peter McMahon, Tommie’s Takeaway, Cash & Carry, Séamus McManus, Anthony Croarkin, Jim Fanning, Gerard Kelly, Paddy Kelly, Ace Cabs, Tommy Leonard, Jim McQuaid/James McMahon, Garda Social Club, Cllr. Séamus Treanor, David O’Rourke, Matt McCaughey, Brian Peppard, Hugh Doherty, Monaghan Credit Union, The Northern Standard, Red Boys and Martin Leonard. There will be a final meeting re: quiz sponsorship on Saturday at 7pm, where any money yet to be collected can be handed in.

Upcoming events: The festive season is shaping up to be a busy one at Gavan Duffy Park. We are hosting our own club Christmas party on Sunday, December 23, with Santa and karaoke among the attractions on the night, so please try to keep the date free. A week later, on December 30, our annual charity match will take place and once again, we appreciate all support for worthy local causes. Sponsorship forms are available from Owen Connell or from the clubhouse. The Christmas variety concert is also set to return on St. Stephen’s night. The clubhouse is also available to book for Christmas parties and other functions by contacting bar manager Liadhan Treanor at 086 7837204 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              086 7837204     end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Scór: Tara Gilsenan represented club and county in the Ulster Scór na nÓg semi-finals last Saturday evening in Silverbridge. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it through to the Ulster final in the solo singing competition, but it was a great achievement to get that far. Well done to all involved.

Team management: Anyone interested in managing one of the club’s juvenile teams in 2013 is asked to forward their names to the football development committee. Expressions of interest regarding underage teams should be sent to Ciarán Mulligan (086 8411275 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              086 8411275     end_of_the_skype_highlighting) as soon as possible.

Sympathy: The club sends sympathy to Jimmy Croarkin and family on the death of his father, Jim Croarkin. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mouth-guards: It will be compulsory from January 1, 2013 for all players from minor down to wear a mouth guard at both training and matches.