Fixtures: Thursday, April 27: DHL v Carrickmacross (Away) at 7.30pm

Saturday, April 29: SFL v Donaghmoyne (Home) at 7pm; U-12 Spring League Finals v Scotstown at 1.30pm; v Carrickmacross at 2.45pm * both in Cloghan

Tuesday, May 2: MFL Division Two v Emyvale (Away) at 7.30pm

 

Monaghan Harps Lotto: Numbers 2, 9, 21 and 28. Jackpot of €1,300 not won. Residual prizes: €100 Katie Kearns c/o Séamus Treanor; €40 Harry Murtagh c/o Barry Sullivan; €40 Dermot Hamill c/o Barry Sullivan; €40 Lucy Kelly c/o Séamus Treanor. Jackpot for Sunday, April 30 is €1,400 and Monica and Paudge Connolly are on duty. Lotto draw takes place in our clubhouse every Sunday night. All welcome. Thanks to everyone for their support for our Lotto, which plays a critical role in our club’s funding. We ask all club members to continue to promote our Lotto as much as possible.

 

Cake Sale: We are looking forward to our annual Cake Sale in Monaghan Shopping Centre this Saturday. Buns, cakes, etc. can be left into the clubhouse on Friday between 7 and 9pm or directly to the stall in the Shopping Centre on Saturday morning from 9.30am on. All support for this fundraiser would be greatly appreciated.

 

Seniors: We host Donaghmoyne in the County Monaghan Credit Unions Senior Football League this Saturday at 7pm. All support welcome.

 

Blitz: We host a double blitz for U-10s and U-8s this Saturday from 10am to 12 noon. All help appreciated.

 

DIL: The countdown is on to the Pieta House fundraiser, Electric Ireland Darkness into Light 2017, which will take place in the early hours of Saturday week, May 6 (4.15am), starting and finishing at our club grounds. Thanks to everyone who has supported the pre-registration dates so far. There are further pre-registration.t-shirt collection dates in Monaghan Shopping Centre this Saturday (12-5pm) and in our clubhouse next Wednesday and Thursday (7-9pm both nights). Please contact Seán McKenna if you are available to help with any of these dates.

 

Reserves: Both of our reserve teams played championship preliminary-round games in a busy weekend. We got the better of Aughnamullen in the O’Duffy Cup on Sunday. A Dylan McKenna goal and points from Dean Fanning, Niall Greenan, Evan Doherty and Liam Hahessy had us 1-6 to 0-4 up at half-time and although Aughnamullen netted a penalty for the first score of the second half, we regained the upper hand, with several players on the scoresheet. Shane McMahon got our second goal as we ran out winners on a 2-15 to 1-6 scoreline.

Team: Emmett McArdle; Aidan Connell, Aodhán Óg McAnespie (Capt.), Paul Smyth; Dean Fanning, Niall Greenan, Niall Treanor; Shane Coyle, Éimhín Morahan; Evan Doherty, Shane McMahon, Dylan McKenna; Nicholas Treanor, Paddy Connolly, Liam Hahessy.

Subs used: Colm Shalvey, Conor Forde, Dessie McGarry.

We had been edged out by Seán McDermotts in Friday’s Crawley Cup game. After falling behind to an early goal, we got one back through Dillon Duffy and with Shane McMahon hitting some good points, we were 1-6 to 1-5 up at half-time. The Seáns again found the net early in the second half, however, and they held a narrow lead through to the finish; going through by 2-9 to 1-9. We wish John Mulligan a speedy recovery from his injury.

Team: Dessie McGarry (Capt.); Conor Flynn, Aidan Burns, Paul Smyth; Aidan Connell, John Mulligan, Ruairí Forde; Pat Meehan, Dylan McKenna; Colm Shalvey, Shane McMahon, Conor Duffy; Niall Greenan, Dillon Duffy, Jamie Shields.

Subs: Conor Forde for Connell, Conor Devlin for Mulligan (inj.), Remy McKenna for C Forde (inj.), Ben Kearns-Flynn for D Duffy.

We are away to Truagh in the RFL Division 1A on Wednesday, May 10, before hosting the same opponents in the championship the following Sunday, May 14.

 

Minors: Our minors had a good win away to Castleblayney last Tuesday (April 18). Scores were hard earned for both teams in the first half, which finished at 0-4 apiece, with Ben Kearns-Flynn, Conor McCrystal and Oisín Fagan on target for the Harps. Our lads got on top after the restart with 1-1 in quick succession by Oisín and although Blayney got back to within two points, Thomas Croarkin, Aidan Burns and Conor were on target in the final quarter to secure a 1-9 to 0-6 win. Our minors had a bye this week, while they are away to Emyvale next Tuesday for a 7.30pm throw-in.

Team and scorers: Dylan McAree; David Leane, Niall Ward, Anthony Greenan; Corey McArdle, Jamie Shields, Seán McKenna; Thomas Croarkin (0-1), Lochlainn Power; Adam O’Neill, Conor McCrystal (0-3, 1f), Ethan Murphy; Oisín Fagan (1-2), Ben Kearns-Flynn (0-2, 1f), Aidan Burns (0-1).

Subs used: Nathan O’Donoghue, John Lowry…

 

U-16: The Under-16 Football League Division One continued with a hard-earned 3-15 to 4-8 win at home to Clann na nGael last Thursday. 1-1 by Anann Connor and points from Lochlainn Power, Conor Devlin and Mujtaba Gamal got our lads off to a flying start, but the Toome/Oram amalgamation rallied to trail by just a point (1-4 to 1-3) at half-time. A brace of goals in the first ten minutes of the second half moved Clann na nGael ahead, but Oisín Fagan and Anann hit back with goals for the Harps. Points from Oisín Fagan, Eoghan McGinnity, Lochlainn and Mujtaba saw our lads gain the upper hand in an exciting finish to claim another win. After a bye this week, our U-16s host Magheracloone next Thursday (May 4).

Team and scorers: Luke Coyle; Cathal Nally, Killian Conlon, Andrew Lyden; Conor Devlin (0-2), Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh (Capt.), Stephen Ward; Lochlainn Power (0-2), Oisín Fagan (0-6, 4f); Lorcan O’Rourke (1-0), Anann Connor (2-2), Jamie McCarron; Dean Doherty, Mujtaba Gamal (0-2, 1f), Adam McGarry.

Subs used: James McKenny, Eoghan McGinnity (0-1).

 

U-14: Our Under-14 Division One game was conceded by Castleblayney last Saturday, while the Faughs had a narrow win in a competitive Division Five fixture. Despite early scores from Daragh Croarkin and Conor Treanor, we soon found ourselves facing a sizable deficit, before two Jake McConnon goals turned it around to leave us 2-5 to 1-7 up at half-time. Dáire Sheridan, Daragh Croarkin, Michael McMorrow and Jake all kicked points in the second half, but Blayney scored two late goals to run out winners by 4-10 to 2-12.

Team and scorers: Oisín Reilly; Jordan Crampton, Ryan McSkeane; Mark McManus, Josh Kelly; Daragh Croarkin (Capt., 0-7, 1 ’45), Ben Myers; Dáire Sheridan (0-1), Shea Swift; Conor Treanor (0-1), Jake McConnon (2-2, 0-1f).

Subs used: Michael McMorrow (0-1), Gary Devlin, Ché Treanor, Aidan McGeough, Adam McBride, Dean Conlon, Gregory O’Connell, Eoin McCleary.

Our next league game is away to Cremartin in Division One on Saturday week (May 6).

 

U-12s: Our Under-12 teams are due to play their Spring League finals in Cloghan this Saturday v Scotstown at 1.30 and v Carrickmacross at 2.45. Please support!

 

Membership: Registration fees of €20 for 2017 are now overdue and must be paid to club registrar Kevin Treanor or in the clubhouse as soon as possible.

 

Dates to remember: In a busy Bank Holiday weekend, our annual Cake Sale takes place in Monaghan Shopping Centre on Saturday, while on Sunday, we host a Mass for deceased club members at 7pm, followed by a talk by Enda Galligan about Charles Gavan Duffy. All welcome. We will be participating and hosting at Féile Peil na nÓg 2017 (June 23-25), a week after our juvenile street collection. Keep an eye on club notes for more details on these events.

 

Coaching: There are several upcoming coaching courses/workshops. Check the Monaghan GAA website and contact Pádraig Callan if you wish to attend any. Keep an eye out for details about an upcoming Child Protection course.

 

Pitch bookings: All pitch bookings for 2017 for training or matches must be made via 086 1957155. Training slots have been allocated and any changes must be notified in advance. All co-operation from team mentors in maintaining the pitches is appreciated.

 

County: Well done to Conor McCrystal and the Monaghan U-17 footballers on their win in last Saturday’s Ulster league shield final.

 

Gavan Duffy Park: The refurbished Monaghan Harps clubhouse is available to book for functions. Contact Jimmy Croarkin on 087 1249635 or Pádraig Callan on 087 4515206 for more information. Anyone looking to book the clubhouse for meetings, functions, etc. is asked to please give a week’s notice for convenience.

 

Hurling notes:

Minor: Lisbellaw conceded last Sunday’s minor league match which puts us on five points after three rounds. Keep an eye on the Facebook & Twitter pages for an update on the next fixture. We hosted a very successful presentation night in the clubhouse last Saturday evening, where we celebrated the success of last year’s minor double -winning squad. Huge thanks go to Liadhan Treanor and Robbie Healy for their efforts in organising the event, to those that worked in the clubhouse and to the numerous family members, players and ex-players who supported the event.

 

Minor League Cup: If anyone can shed light on the whereabouts of the Minor Hurling League Cup then please contact Patrick on 08 72112629. The cup was reported to have been left in the clubhouse.

 

Senior: A keenly-contested match against Carrick finished all-square last Thursday. Gabe McQuillan opened the scoring for the Harps on three minutes, before Carrick responded with a goal. The Harps dominated the next ten minutes when Cathal Power, Jack Lee and Conor Flynn shared the scoring to put us two points up. Scores were traded over the remainder of the half, with Carrick holding a one-point lead at half-time (0-6 to 1-4). Carrick extended their lead to five points within five minutes of the restart, but were held to one score over the remainder of the match as the Harps gained a grip on the game, with Conor Flynn and Aodhán Óg McAnespie converting chances. Despite creating several chances, the Harps were unable to turn a chance into a goal which would have ultimately ensured another win, but instead had to settle for a share of the spoils at the full-time whistle (0-12 to 2-6). We travel to Camlough on Thursday, April 27 when we take on Craobh Rua at 7.15pm.

Team: Robbie Healy; John Treanor, Dylan McAree, Éanna Finlay; Conor Duffy, Adrian Dalton, Tiarnán Bramley; Cathal Power (0-1), Brendan Naughton; Jack Lee (0-1), Conor Flynn (0-8), Conor Forde; Gabe McQuillan (0-1), Frank Burke, Conor O’Neill.

Subs: Aodhán Óg McAnespie (0-1) for O’Neill, Alan Lee for Forde, Anthony Greenan for Bramley, Maurice McKenna for McQuillan, Reece Treanor, Luke Mulligan, Michael Gissane.

 

Ladies notes:

Results: Well done to the U-14 team who had a great win over Scotstown at home on Monday. Thanks to Pádraig Callan for sponsoring the new jerseys for the girls. The senior team had their first win in their new jerseys on Friday last v Emyvale B. A word of thanks to Mr. Raymond Aughey for sponsoring the jerseys.

 

Upcoming Fixtures: The senior team will play Inniskeen this weekend. Details to be confirmed. Please keep an eye on the club’s Facebook page for updates. The U-14s are away to Latton next Monday, May 1.

 

A word of thanks: Thank you very much to all who contributed to/supported our Coffee Morning in St. Joseph’s Pastoral Centre last weekend. A great morning was had by all and we raised much needed funds for the club. A special mention to our secretary Fiona Corrigan, who organised it all.

 

Dates to remember: This year’s Abbey Fanning Blitz will take place on Saturday, June 10. More details to follow.

 

Training: Training continues Thursdays for U-12s and U-14s from 67pm and Mondays and Thursdays for U-16s, minors and seniors; 6.50-8pm. Old and new faces welcome.