Championship Draw: took place on Monday evening, we will take on Rockcorry in what is sure to be a cracking game.  It’ll certainly be entertaining for Donal Quigley part of our senior team management who is also principal in Scoil Mhuire in Rockcorry.

Club Dinner Dance: this year is on February 15^th, tickets are now available through the secretary, members of the senior team and the executive.  Ticket price this year is €30; this is great value for a three course meal, along with the variety of entertainment on the night.

Congratulations to Truagh Gaels on reaching the All Ireland Intermediate final following a wonderful victory on Sunday.  Commiserations to Emyvale who went down by the narrowest of margins in the All Ireland Junior Semi-Final, both teams deserve huge admiration and we wish Truagh all the best on their big day in Croke Park.

Congratulations Well done to Largy College U16’s on winning the VEC County Quarter Final. This team is made up of players from all the neighbouring Clubs but predominantly Clones.  Best of luck in the Semi-final lads, they’ll be hoping to emulate the U19’s who did the double in winning back to back VEC titles earlier in the month. Ádh mór gasúraí.

Registration Day: last Saturday was a success, but the bad weather played its toll in getting the numbers required out.  Thanks to everyone who came along, if you were unable to attend and you still haven’t registered for this season please contact Tom Kelly as soon as possible.  Membership rates will remain unchanged at €10 for ordinary members (Family €25 – Adult Player €20 – Juvenile €5) and can be paid to Tom Kelly or any executive member. It’s important that ALL players pay their membership as soon as possible otherwise you will not be covered under the GAA Insurance Scheme.  We would encourage existing club members to renew their subscriptions as soon as possible and we would sincerely welcome any newcomers wishing to join.

Juvenile Coaches: We are currently in the process of assigning coaches to underage teams, anyone interested can contact Joanne.  Training will be provided for new coaches.  Other volunteers are required with occasional work in the field, this work is not often or strenuous.

Coaching:  Monaghan Coaching & Games development will be running a series of courses and workshops over the coming months that will cater for every coach within the club. There is a number of foundation, level 1 and level 2 courses pencilled in throughout February and March, perfect for our new coaches and up skilling our existing coaches, these are a pre requisite for all our coaches and are a ‘must have! Not a nice to have’. So get your diaries out and dates picked, contact Phelim as early as possible to secure your place.

National League Tickets are now on sale in SuperValu, this year anyone who buys their ticket in the days running up to the game can get it for €10, match day price will be €15.  Our first game is on this Saturday in Newry against Down.  Following the phenomenal success of last year, Division 2 will be another level and challenge for our boys.  There are some very competitive games ahead for the lads with our first home game against Meath on the 9^th.  Paul Finlay recorded his 500^th competitive point for Monaghan recently with a remarkable career tally of 5:500, one of those goals still lives long in the memory as the winning score against Meath in the Division 2 final in 2005.  There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then, but how fitting it would be for Jap to find the net against Meath on the 9^th.  Here’s hoping that it happens, support the team especially their home games.

Sincere Sympathy: it was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Maisie Murray last Friday.  Maisie’s family are steeped in the GAA with her three son’s Aidan, Brendan and Ciaran distinguishing themselves at every level for Club, County and Country.  Maisie took great pride in all her children and grandchildren and without showing favouritism would tell you about Aidan’s son Patrick who’s a big career ahead of him in American football recently signing for Tampa Bay in Florida as their place kicker.  Our deepest condolences go to all of Maisie’s family, her daughter Paula, sons Aidan, Brendan and Ciaran, grandchildren and all the extended family.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Lotto: Numbers drawn on the 27th of January 12,18,20&27 Jackpot €11,600. NO WINNER- Lucky Dip winners Maisie Faux Clones, Aishling Tierney Monaghan Rd, Dan Burke Scotshouse, Caroline Maguire Cherry Pk, Peter Flynn Caraveetra. Sellers Prize Mary Treanor- next weeks Jackpot €11,700. Draw will take place in Papa Joes, we’d encourage as many players and members as possible to sell and buy tickets as this is a very important revenue stream for the club which pays for buses, training gear and predominantly goes to support our juveniles. Don’t be like the Cavan man who prayed to God to win the lotto only for the good lord to answer him back “Meet me halfway and buy a ticket”!  Your support as ever is greatly appreciated.