GAA National Club Draw: I am delighted to announce that our club will be participating in the GAA National Club Draw which features some sensational prizes. Please log onto https://www.gaa.ie/clubzone/national-club-draw/ to view a list of prizes. The tickets cost €10 each and are printed in books of 10 and will be available from all committee members and senior players. There are some fabulous prizes and you can support the club by buying and selling tickets. Those who buy tickets will be entered into a draw, with prizes provided by GAA Central Council. Each club will retain the proceeds of the tickets sold by their club. The structure of the draw is as follows for participating clubs: 1. Prizes will be provided by Ard Chomhairle, 2. Each club can obtain 50 books of tickets (500 tickets) initially and can apply for more if required. 3. Maximum number of tickets per club 2,000, 4. Each club will retain the proceeds of the tickets sold by their club, 5. The ticket stubs and all unsold tickets for each club must then be returned to the GAA National Finance Office by Friday March 7, 2014 together with a list of subscribers.

Mobile Heart Screening: As part of the GAA’s on-going commitment for player welfare they now advise that the most effective way to identify risk is for all players over the age of 14 to undergo cardiac screening on one occasion.  Healthy Hearts, Healthy Lives is a mobile heart screening service, set up by former Armagh GAA players John and Tony McEntee, providing cardiac screening to help prevent sudden deaths in young people who may have “Sudden Adult Death Syndrome”.  They screen males and females aged from 14-35. The lower age limit is 14 years, as the child’s heart is not fully formed until age 14. If screened before this age many more tests would be listed as abnormal, causing undue further testing and increased anxiety.  Their upper age limit is 35, as above this age the person is more likely to have problems due to heart disease, rather than issues associated with sudden cardiac death.  It is extremely important to become proactive, rather than reactive to ensure the welfare of our playing members. Therefore, I would appeal to all our players don’t be the ‘big man’ and say you don’t need it or say “I feel fine”. If screenings like this can save lives then it’s well worth it. If any player or any person would like further information regarding the screening then please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself. If anyone is interested then please register for the screening by contacting myself, Michael Carroll on 086-1041165.

Annual Yearbook 2013: A gentle reminder that if you haven’t already bought a copy of the yearbook we have a limited number of copies available so if anybody is interested in buying a copy then please get in touch.  It costs €20 and is jammed with information and features over 400 pages, full colour, and contains some amazing photographs of our historic and remarkable journey through senior football. The yearbook also contains a selection of photographs taken from other events held over the year and I hope the images I have chosen will leave a lasting impression. If you are interested in buying a copy of the yearbook please send me a text message 086-1041165 or an email to pro.rockcorry.monaghan@gaa.ie confirming your name and details.

Committee Positions Vacant: The management committee is open to all who wish to sit on the committee or indeed any of our sub-committees. New faces, new opinions, new ideas are the lifeblood of any club and with your input the possibilities of today can be achieved tomorrow. At our annual general meeting the positions of Assistant Treasurer, Cultural Officer and ASAP Officer were not filled. We are now looking to co-opt members to fill these important roles. If any club member is interested in taking up any of these roles or perhaps sitting on the management committee please get in touch. The bottom line folks, and its quit simple, the future of the club is in our own hands. Everything that we do today or indeed everything we don’t do will have a serious impact on the performance of the club in the future. It’s you club, get involved.

Club Membership: Club membership is now due once again and can be paid to our club Registrar Pat Brannigan. The annual subscription for adults is €20 with all juveniles under the age of 18 costing €5 and any student that can provide a valid student card the membership fee is €5. It is important that ALL players pay their membership as soon as possible otherwise you will not be covered under the GAA insurance scheme. Please note that club membership will close on Monday 31^st March.

Scór Sinsear: If anybody is interested in representing the club in any of the following events please contact myself Michael Carroll 086-1041165 or any committee member (Figure Dancing, Recitation, Solo Singing, Instrumental Music, Ballad Group, Novelty Act, Question time and Set Dancing)

Rules & Regulations: The new rules of Gaelic Football, including the introduction of a the “Black Card for certain newly defined Cynical Behaviour Fouls, which will be introduced on 1^st January 2014.  Follow the link below to see details of the updated Disciplinary System. http://www.gaa.ie/about-the-gaa/rules-and-regulations/

Mouthguards: Attention ALL players (senior, reserve, minor and underage) it is now compulsory for all players to wear a mouthguards in all Gaelic football matches and practice sessions from 1^st January 2014. If a player refuses to comply he can be sent-off and players will not be covered under the GAA Player Injury Scheme if they are not wearing a mouthguard. Information on the use of mouthguards for clubs, parents and players can be found at; http://gaa.ie/medical-and-player-welfare/mouthguards/.

Speedy Recovery: On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to extend our best wishes to senior footballer Mark Daly and former club great Finbar McDermott who were recently hospitalised.  We wish them both a speedy recovery back to full health and look forward to seeing them out and about very soon.

Top 4 Lotto Results: The numbers drawn on Monday 13^th January were 5, 19, 20 and 25. There was no jackpot winner of €6,400.00. The following won €15 each :- Tina & Kate Rooney, Rockcorry, Cornelius Thompson, Newbliss, Norah Martin, Newbliss, Ann Carroll, Rockcorry, Tina & Leo Rooney, Rockcorry, Malachy Matthews, Black Kesh, Aoife & Jamie Lynch, Annalee, Noeleen Fitzpatrick, Rockcorry. Next week the jackpot will be €6,500.00 and the draw will take place in Fitzpatrick’s. Thank you for supporting our Top 4 lotto draw.

Annual Top 4 Lotto Ticket: Don’t forget, you can support the club’s Top 4 lotto by entering for 12 months, 6 month or a 3 month period. To play simply select your four numbers between 1 and 28 complete the form and you need never miss a draw again! Tickets cost €90 for the 12 month option. Your continued support is always much appreciated and we wish you good luck in future draws.

Sympathy: On behalf of everyone at the Rockcorry GAA club I would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Phil Mooney and members of the Mooney family on the recent passing of Gerry Mooney (Annyalla, Monaghan). May his gentle soul rest in peace.

News: If anyone would like to have some news, events or anything at all included in the club notes or advertised on our website then just get in touch on 086-1041165 or email pro.rockcorry.monaghan@gaa.ie