Social Night & Annual Presentations

This year’s annual social & presentation night will be held in Fitzpatrick’s on Friday 28^th February. This is always a very enjoyable occasion and this year’s social night will once again be something special as it brings us all together to honour the latest inductee into our Hall of Fame and the night will also include presentations to the senior and reserve player of the year. So folks, make sure you don’t miss out on this enjoyable occasion and make a note in your dairy for Friday 28^th February and join us for an exciting and fun night.

Fixtures

The past season is now long finished and the new league season is fast approaching with the first round of the senior, intermediate and junior leagues commencing on the weekend of Sunday 23^rd March.  The reserve leagues are envisaged to commence the weekend of Sunday 9^th March, with the reserve championship likely to commence on the May bank holiday weekend. Needless to say, there should be no shortage of motivation with a management change in place this is the perfect opportunity for a fresh approach and for ALL players to step up to the plate and show they have what it takes to achieve our goals this year.  All players, both senior and reserve, are requested to give the required commitment and make special efforts to attend training sessions over the next couple of weeks in order to prepare properly for the start of the league season.

Closed Season

Any player planning a quick getaway or perhaps thinking of having a vacation the holiday period or closed season, where no club games will be scheduled, occurs between Wednesday 25^th June to Monday 7^th July.

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. 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.

GAA National Club Draw

The GAA National Club Draw presents a fantastic opportunity for YOU to support the club and also be in with an opportunity of winning a fantastic prize. All committee members and players are reminded to really push the tickets this week in order to sell as many books as possible to help our fund raising target. Please ensure you hand in your ticket stubs no later than Friday 28^th February and in addition it is extremely important to remember that all unsold tickets must also be returned. Obviously, as all proceeds raised will be retained by the club this is a valuable fund raiser so every ticket sold will benefit the club and we would like to make the most of this excellent opportunity so please make every effort to sell to family, friends, work colleagues etc.

ASAP Officer

I am delighted to report that Brian Carroll has accepted and agreed to take on the role of ASAP officer (Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention) for the year ahead. On behalf of the management committee I would like to welcome Brian on board and as he embarks on his official Rockcorry GAA career I wish him well in his post and look forward to working with him in the weeks, months and years ahead! The aim of the ASAP programme is to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. The programme forms part of the GAA’s attempts to tackle what has unfortunately become an ever more obvious problem in Irish society. Brian, along with the management committee will develop a Drug and Alcohol Policy that will be specific to our club and over the coming weeks we will hopefully be in a position to promote the programme.

Club Membership

All players and indeed club members that have not yet paid their club membership are reminded that it 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 (senior & underage) 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.

Under 10 Winter League

The Under 10 players continued with week 2 of 4 of their winter league programme in Ballybay last Saturday 15^th February and we had a team of seven players for the day (five a side with 2 subs). Our panel on the day was Josh Brannigan, Aaron Reilly, Leah Larmer, Niall McCormick , Dylan Reilly, Caolan Reilly and Oisin Connolly.  All the players on the day put in the usual high octane performances we expect and all the boys and girl enjoyed what was a well-run and keenly contested event. Well done to the Monaghan Coaching & Games Development team for their work in what was a wonderful advertisement for the G.A.A. This  Saturday we expect to be starting with a morning throw in and our youth officer, Pascal Smyth, will be in touch with all the parents over the coming week with the full details.

Registration Night / Juvenile Membership

As previously reported the club intends holding a Registration night to allow all underage players including under 8’s, 10’s, 12’s, 14’s, 16’s and 18’s to register and pay their club membership. A date has not yet been finalised but it should however be noted that it’s likely to take place during the first week of March. All players and parents will be expected to turn up and indeed any new parents and players are also very welcome to attend. It is important to remember that all juvenile players must be registered to train or play any games to be covered under the GAA insurance scheme. We will also be accepting adult membership on the night and club registrar Pat Brannigan will be present and will gladly accept your annual subscription which is €20 for all adults 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.

Garda Vetting

ALL members of the committee and our underage coaches who have not been Garda vetted previously can you please ensure that you fill in and return a Garda Vetting Form to our youth officer Pascal Smyth or our children’s officer, Colm McCormick as soon as possible. It is vital that ALL persons i.e. coach, mentor, manager, club officials etc. has completed the relevant Garda Vetting Form. Hard luck

Hard luck to the Monaghan under 21 team who were sadly defeated by Tyrone in the Shamrock Cup last Saturday, at a sunny but very chilly Cloghan, on a score-line 0-9 to 1-8. On a positive note however, throughout the campaign it was great to see some of our up and coming players, Mark McGuirk & Fergal McGeough, represent the club at this level and I imagine it was a wonderful honour for them to put on and wear the famous Monaghan White & Blue jersey.

Sports Coach Development Programme

Monaghan Sports Partnership is excited to launch its first sports coach development programme for sports coaches (from any sport), teachers, parents or interested volunteers aged 16 or over who work with juveniles. This programme uses core fundamental gymnastic skills & training techniques to build the complete athlete or player.  The GymEDGE programme was developed in partnership with the Ulster Sports Academy at the University of Ulster & supported by the Irish Sports Council & Coaching Ireland.  It will take place on Saturday 1^st March 2014 (10am – 4pm) in Ballybay Recreation Centre at a price of €40pp.  The programme consists of a series of workshops being run over the day looking at core fundamental gymnastic skills and training techniques including; Fundamental Movement Skills: Practical based, focusing on the benefits of gymnastics for all sports. Flexibility & Stretching: Dynamic & developmental stretching ideas, techniques & training programmes. Physical Preparation & Conditioning: Gymnastic based full body conditioning exercises, techniques & training programmes. It is internationally recognised that the training elements of gymnastics can provide players/athletes key skills that can aid other sports in athlete development.  Participants receive a certificate of attendance from Gymnastics Ireland. For more information on this programme or to book your place please contact Monaghan Sports Partnership on   042 – 9755126.

Top 4 Lotto Results

The numbers drawn on Monday 17^th February were 6, 21, 27 and 28. There was no jackpot winner of €6,900.00. The following won €15 each :- Fergal & Conor McGeough, Rockcorry, Noeleen Fitzpatrick, Rockcorry, Enda & Sylvia Sheridan, Aghabog, Tina & Leo Rooney, Rockcorry, Dominic Monaghan, Rockcorry, Eileen Calvert, Rockcorry, Fiona Lynch, Rockcorry, Pat Mullen, Newbliss. Next week the jackpot will be an amazing €7,000.00 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 club I would like to offer our deepest condolences to Cathal Furey and his family, relatives and close friends on the passing of his mother, Bridie Furey . May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Website

Don’t forget to visit our official website www.rockcorrygaa.ie or find us on Facebook or follow the club on using Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news, fixtures and everything else that is going on within the club.

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