Fixture: Sunday, March 4: RFL Division One v Scotstown (Away) at 2pm

 

Monaghan Harps Lotto: Numbers 1, 8, 13 and 27. Jackpot of €3,700 not won. Residual prizes: €100 Rose Donnelly c/o Paddy Donnelly; €40 Fergus Duffy c/o Brian O’Sullivan (HC); €40 Patricia Cotter c/o Mick Farrell; €40 Grace McConnon c/o Philomena Hughes. Jackpot for Sunday, March 4 is €3,850. Lotto draw takes place in the clubhouse every Sunday night. All welcome. Ann and Adrian Trappe are on duty this week. Congratulations on behalf of the Lotto committee and the entire club to Hurling Club stalwart Jim Dalton on his recent retirement.

 

Get involved: The Monaghan Harps Lotto plays an integral part in the running of the club and we greatly appreciate the efforts of all ticket-sellers. If anyone would like to get involved with the lotto, they can contact Maria McKenna at 086 1057725.

Seniors/Reserves: The O’Duffy Cup team had a good run-out against the Clones senior team last Saturday and we start our RFL Division One campaign away to Scotstown this Sunday at 2pm. All support welcome. The Crawley Cup team have their first RFL Division Four game away to Killanny on March 11. The Senior Football League will start on Wednesday, April 11, also away to Scotstown. Fixtures are available on our website – www.monaghanharps.gaa.ie.

 

Arch Club: We welcomed Monaghan Arch Club to Gavan Duffy Park for a very enjoyable evening last Thursday. Our Chairman Dermot Brannigan welcomed everyone, while Donal Kenny also spoke on behalf of the Arch Club. The highlight was once again the speech by our own Hugh Coyle, who thanked everyone from his two favourite clubs. Music by birthday boy Brian Harvey and singing by the Arch Club Choir kept everyone dancing. We had all the trophies won by the club in the last year, which were in high demand for photos. There was great help in on the night, so thanks to everyone who played their part in any way. We look forward to hosting the Arch Club again.

 

Scór: Our representatives at Scór Sinsir in Ardaghey last Saturday night did the club proud. Particularly unlucky by all accounts was our novelty act/Nuacleas, which featured Conor McGirr, Úna Forde, Séamus Trappe, Séamus McManus, Dermot and Julie Brannigan, Harry Dwyer and Owen Connell, with production by Gerard Clerkin, Niamh Coyle, Vincent McKenna and Allison Treanor. We were also represented very well in solo singing by Colm Galligan and recital by Séamus McManus. Thanks to everyone involved for their excellent efforts. Maith sibh go léir! Comhghairdeas do na buaiteoirí agus ádh mór oraibh in Uladh.

 

White-collar boxing: We plan to stage a white-collar boxing tournament on Friday, April 20. There will be a meeting about this fundraiser in the clubhouse on Sunday at 7pm. Anyone who wants to get involved in any way is welcome to attend and if you want to take part, get in touch with Paddy Kelly at 087 6688735.

 

Defibrillator training: Our defibrillator training course will take place in the clubhouse this Saturday (March 3), starting at 10am.

 

Juvenile presentation: Our juvenile presentation night has been fixed for Friday, March 16 in the clubhouse at 7.30pm. All club members and players from last year’s winning teams are asked to keep this date free.

 

Minors: The minor footballers had their first challenge match of the year at home to Burren last Saturday and they won by a point after an encouraging performance. Keep the good work up ahead of the first league game at home to Scotstown on March 27.

 

U-16: Our Under-16 footballers will start their Division One League campaign away to Killanny on Thursday, April 12.

 

Membership: Membership for 2012 can now be paid to registrar Maurice Galligan c/o Cosy Bar or in the clubhouse. Fees are €20 per adult, €10 per child or €50 for a family of two adults and any number of children. Supporters are asked to pay their subscription as soon as possible, as GAA rules dictate that membership must be paid by the end of March in order to have full voting rights at AGMs. All players are reminded that they must be paid-up members of the club. It is also hoped to hold at least one registration night in the coming weeks – keep an eye on the club notes for more details.

 

Important dates: Monthly club meetings take place next Thursday (March 8). Club Officer training for Monaghan has been fixed for St. Macartan’s College on Saturday, March 10. Our Saturday-morning juvenile coaching will restart on Saturday, March 24. On the same day, our two Under-14s play their first league games, while the Under-12 Spring Leagues start on March 31.

  

Coaching Courses: Anyone who wants to take part in a Foundations Coaching Course on March 23/24 can contact Juvenile Club Secretary Val Forde at 087 9515175.

 

Good luck: To the Monaghan senior footballers against Derry in the NFL this weekend and to the Under-21s in the Shamrock Cup Final against Tyrone on Wednesday in Cloghan. Well done to the county hurlers on their win over Donegal last Sunday and hard luck to Neil McAdam, whose UUJ team lost to eventual winners DCU in the Sigerson Cup semi-finals.

 

Aido file: Congratulations to club stalwart Jim Dalton who retired from the Gardaí on Friday last following 38 years in the job. Jim had a great send-off and due praise was given for Jim’s work with young hurlers in Monaghan harps and how it crossed over into work. The hurling club was well represented on the night and a late night it was! Club table quiz is now due to be held on Friday, March 9 in Tír na nÓg with our awards night on March 22 in the Gavan Duffy complex.

 

Handball: Caileán Myles, Justas Dambinskas, Eoghan McGinnity, Ryan Mooney and Ramunas all succeeded in reaching the Ulster Juvenile Finals where they will, as expected, meet strong Tyrone opposition. Caileán got off to a slow start against Cavan’s Konrad Martin but soon imposed his better serves and passing shots to easily win by five and three. Justas and Eoghan started off a little anxiously against Ruairí McDonald and Micheál O’Shea from Armagh. However when they settled they played top-class handball with Eoghan making lots of aces with his serves. They won by 15-5, 15-0.
Ryan Mooney beat Antrim’s Conor O’Neill by one and two, while Ramunas and his partner Conall McKenna progressed when Cavan withdrew from the semi-finals. Martin Mullen and partner played very well but lost to Heaney and Murtagh from Armagh. The Tyrone players in the finals will be extremely tough to beat, as they have many accomplished household names. Caileán plays strong-hitting Cormac Munroe while Ryan has a major task against Turlough Clarke. Ramunas will face the top pairing of Johnny Woods and Ryan Mullen. Eoghan and Justas play Anton Fox and Ronan Curran who won their semi-final with ease. Good luck to all five young players in the finals which will be in Kingscourt on March 10.

  

Rith: Rith 2012 is a national run that will be coming through the county on Saturday, March 10, as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge. The run will come into Baile Mhuineacháin at 7.30 with a lap around the town and finish at the courthouse with a welcome from the County Council Cathaoirleach.