Fixtures: Sunday, September 16: IFC at Gavan Duffy Park: Corduff v Seán McDermotts at 1pm; Donaghmoyne v Tyholland at 2.45pm

Monday, September 17: U-15 HL v Castleblayney (Home) at 6pm

 

Monaghan Harps Lotto: Numbers 7, 10, 20 and 23. Jackpot of €3,700 not won. Residual prizes: €100 Brenda Murray c/o Brian O’Sullivan (Hurling Club); €40 Jim Dalton (Hurling Club) c/o himself; €40 Rose Donnelly c/o Paddy Donnelly; €40 Majella Treanor c/o Monica Connolly. Jackpot for Sunday, September 16 is €3,800 and Rose Hughes and Noel Hennessy 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.

 

U-13: Pride of place this week goes to our U-13 Division One team, who retained the Coyle Cup in dramatic style in last Wednesday’s league final at Doohamlet. An amazing comeback from our lads saw them come from 12 points down to edge out Carrickmacross and reverse the result of the previous week’s championship decider. 1-1 by Seán Callan kept our lads in touch in the opening exchanges, but Carrick gradually gained the upper hand throughout the rest of the first half. Eoin O’Hanlon and Cian Bradley got points back, but our lads had a mountain to climb when they changed ends trailing by 3-8 to 1-3. The gap twice stretched to 12 after the restart, but our lads began to show signs of their spirit with points from Cian, Shay Kelly, Eoin and Fionán Ó Gallchóir. Quick-fire goals by Fionán and Jack Lynch lit this game up as a contest and although Carrick responded to restore a five-point gap, the excitement was far from over. A Fionán point was followed by a cracking goal from Eoin, but Carrick held on to a two-point lead as we headed into added time. With Cian, Jack and Ethan Ballantine seeing goal attempts somehow kept out by combinations of the woodwork and saves and blocks by Carrick, it looked as if the brave Harps comeback would fall short, but persistence prevailed and Shay Kelly’s late shot found the net to claim a one-point lead. Having withstood a last attack from Carrick, our boys sealed a 5-11 to 4-12 win when Fionán tapped over a free, kicking off rapturous celebrations by players, mentors and supporters. This was a great team effort, with Oisín Reilly assured throughout in goals and Shane Moran, Dáire Conlon, Mark Clerkin and Ethan McCaffrey leading our defensive efforts. Team captain Cian Bradley was a constant threat on the counter-attack, while the likes of Ethan Ballantine, Jack Lynch and Senan Cudden also got through lots of work in the middle third. Seán Callan had a big influence on the turnaround after his switch to a deeper position, while up front, Fionán Ó Gallchóir, Eoin O’Hanlon and Shay Kelly all came good in the decisive period of the game. Subs Morgan Coyle, Dara Mullin, Kyle Cooney, Max Mallen and Oisín Treanor all contributed to this team’s successful run during the year. Thanks to the players and all mentors who have helped out with this team, including Finbarr Conlon, Patrick O’Hanlon, Brendan Burns, Adrian Gunn, Gerry Lynch and Martin Sheridan.

Team and scorers: Oisín Reilly; Shane Moran, Dáire Conlon; Cian Bradley (Capt., 0-3), Mark Clerkin, Ethan McCaffrey; Ethan Ballantine, Jack Lynch (1-0); Fionán Ó Gallchóir (1-4, 0-2f), Senan Cudden, Shay Kelly (1-1); Seán Callan (1-1), Eoin O’Hanlon (1-2, 0-2f).

Panel: Morgan Coyle, Dara Mullin, Kyle Cooney, Max Mallen, Oisín Treanor.

 

Gavan Duffy Park: We host a big double-header in the McElvaney Waste & Recycling Intermediate Football Championship this Sunday: Corduff v Seán McDermotts at 1pm and Donaghmoyne v Tyholland at 2.45pm All help from club members would be appreciated.

 

Seniors: We await our four remaining games in the Shoe City Senior Football League, with five points up for grabs for a win in each. Keep an eye on club website and social media for fixture details.

 

U-17: Our U-17s continued their good start to the league with wins over Latton and Killanny last week. First up was a 4-12 to 2-8 win at home to Latton last Tuesday (September 4). 1-1 by Lochlainn Power and points from Lorcan O’Rourke, Terence McDonald and Eoghan McGinnity kept our lads in touch in a tight first half that ended with Latton ahead by 1-5 to 1-4. A brace of Dean Doherty goals and points by Dean, Lochlainn, Luke Coyle, Terence and Eoghan saw the Harps take charge during the third quarter. Terence went on to add 1-2 to his tally, while Stephen Ward got forward to become our seventh scorer on the night. Our U-17s followed that up with a high-scoring victory away to Killanny on Sunday.

Team and scorers (FL v Latton): Daragh Croarkin; Cathal Nally, Killian Conlon, Conor Devlin; James McKenny, Lorcan O’Rourke (0-1), Stephen Ward (0-1); Dylan Ballantine, Lochlainn Power (1-2); Jamie McCarron, Luke Coyle (0-1), Dean Doherty (2-1); Eoghan McGinnity (0-2f), Mujtaba Gamal, Terence McDonald (1-4, 1-0 pen).

Subs used: Andrew Lyden, Anann Connor, Oisín Fagan (Capt.).

 

Handball: Thanks to all involved in the recent homecoming reception for the successful Monaghan handballers in the wake of the World Championships in Minneapolis. This was due recognition after the great achievements of the young Harps handballers, who took home seven medals.

 

Scór: The club hopes to take part in the upcoming Spraoi Scór (primary-school pupils) and Scór na nÓg (under-17) competitions. Anybody wishing to participate in or help out with Scór is asked to contact our Cultural Officer Joe Ó Gallchóir at 086 3048242.

 

Sympathy: The club sends sympathy to the family of the late John Gilleese. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

 

Sponsor a Seat: To celebrate and promote the continued development of our facilities at Gavan Duffy Park, we are offering the unique opportunity to sponsor/dedicate a seat in our stand at a cost of €50. See our club website (monaghanharps.gaa.ie) or contact Club Secretary Val Forde (secretary.monaghanharps.monaghan@gaa.ie), Chairman Jimmy Croarkin (087 1249635) or any committee member for more details. Please note that the deadline for sponsoring a seat is upon us so please return cards as soon as possible.

 

Dates to remember: Our Family Fun Day has been rescheduled for September 29. This will include the return of the Great Harps Balloon Race, for which cards are available now from Jimmy Croarkin. All support appreciated.

 

Clubhouse: The Monaghan Harps clubhouse is available to book for functions. Contact Jimmy Croarkin on 087 1249635 or Pádraig Callan on 087 2543511 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:

 

Juvenile Coaching: Coaching for juveniles continues every Sunday in Rooskey between 12 noon and 1.30pm.