Congratulations to the county Minor team who had a comprehensive win over Donegal, in the National Minor League, in Ballybofey, on Saturday last. The girls gave an excellent display against a tenacious home side and deservedly took the spoils. Clontibret was represented byShauna McKeever (Capt), Sioneen Morgan, Ríoghnach Duffy, Niamh Kieran, Sorcha McDonald, Chloe McGuigan, Éimear McKenna, Emily Madden , Melinda McCague and Sinéad Mohan. The team continues to train each Wednesday night in Cloghan at 8pm. Training or a challenge match will be organised for this weekend. Their next competitive match is against is Cavan in 3 weeks time.

Preparations are well underway for the ‘Predict the Score’ fundraiser on Easter Sunday, in Clones, in advance of the Monaghan v Dublin, National League fixture. It is important that parents and players alike indicate their availability to travel to Clones, to any Club Executive member asap. Don’t forget the pair who sell the highest number of predictions will receive a delicious Glaslough Chocolates Easter hamper. Well worth fundraising for!!!

After ‘Predict the Score’ the focus will swing to the ‘Last One Standing’ initiative where participants predict one winning team from each weeks football championship fixtures. For a mere €10 you could still be in the reckoning by All-Ireland football final day and in with a chance to win €300. As each promoter is required to source 10 participants, senior players in particular would be well advised to ‘get on their bikes’ in preparation! A special events page will be created on Facebook so you can follow the progress of your friends – and enemies! – as the championship season unfolds!

This weekend National Camogie Congress takes place in the Croke Park Hotel, Dublin, beginning on Friday evening. Highlight of the weekend will be the inauguration of Catherine Neary (Kilkenny) as the new President. A number of motions in relation to the playing rules will be debated and it is anticipated that the new arrangements with Paypal and Servasport, for registration purposes, will draw much comment. 

On Monday last the funeral took place of Noel McGurren, Ballyhaise. Noel was husband of Ulster Leas-Cathaoirleach, Maura. Although a Cavan woman through-and-through, Maura seldom misses a Monaghan camogie championship final and indeed in the past 2 years attended many of Clontibret’s matches in the Ulster Club championship. While there was no doubting where her loyalty lay on the day of the Bridie McMenamin Ulster final last October, Maura was one of the first on to the pitch to congratulate Aisling, our winning captain, and other players and management. The club extends its sympathy to Maura and her son Finbar on their sad loss. 

Training continues for our senior panel on Thursday evening at 8pm, while the primary school girls train each Thurs at 5.30 in the Community Centre. Our U-16/U-14 panel have ventured outdoors and will train on Monday evening at 6pm. Confirmation has been received from the Armagh Secretary that their fixtures booklet will be available mid-week so each panel will receive their fixtures for the coming year as soon as possible. 

And finally, our weekly greeting to Mary who apparently is considering applying for a full-time position in St James Hospital! Good girl Mary, keeping everyone on their toes!!