Firstly, I must seek absolution from the U-12 panel, whom I omitted last week, despite their great win over Killeavy on Saturday week last. Well done to the players, mentors and parents – keep up the good work! This group have completed the bulk of their fixtures and their next match is not until Saturday August 1. However it is important to keep on training and improving fitness levels and skills.

This Saturday (July 11) an U-10 blitz takes place in Middletown, commencing at 10am (sharp). Other participating teams at this venue include Collegland, Mullaghabawn, Keady, Culloville and St Brigid’s.

Our U-16 panel had mixed fortunes on Tuesday evening when Derrynoose failed to show up for their fixture!! A case of ‘all dressed up but no place to go’! Still, we will be awarded the points of the match from the fixture, in due course – but on the other hand we would very much have benefitted from the game. That said, the girls were very sporting and agreed to stay on for a training session instead. Well done girls. Training reverts back to Thursday evening at 6.30 this week. The next U-16 fixture is against Crossmaglen in a fortnight.

Our seniors maintained their 100% unbeaten record in the Armagh League, Division 1, with a good win over Mullaghabawn on Wednesday evening last. This was a tough, bruising encounter and with only one point separating the teams with 5 minutes remaining, it was a nail-biting finish. However Ailbhe Boyle created a bit more breathing space with a well-taken goal in the closing stages to leave the score at 1-7 to 0-6.

This week the bar gets raised again as we travel to Aghagallon to take on the home side. Matches against this team are always highly competitive and with all to play for, for both teams at this stage, Wednesday’s encounter will be no different. Again, I appeal to all players to make themselves available for this match in order to maintain our ‘clean sheet’. Departure is from the Centre at 6.15 sharp.

Training for the U-12/U-10 age group continues each Thursday at 5.30pm. Additional help is required for this large group of girls so don’t be afraid to offer your services!!! This is followed by the U-14/U-16 players at 6.30pm. Senior training continues on Friday at 7.30pm and on Sunday, in preparation for the senior championship. Time for Sunday to be confirmed.

A small number of players – mainly from the U-16 age group – have still to pay their registration/affiliation fees. Parents should note that their daughters have no insurance cover while playing/training and they (parents) will be liable for any medical expenses incurred. Online registration forms can be sent again to any parent requiring one.

Finally, welcome back to Ned who, with his family, enjoyed a week in the sunny Costa del la Waterford. It is rumoured he spent his evenings traversing the county from club to county hurling training sessions, armed with a notebook!! That’s what you call ‘commitment’!!!