The countdown to the senior camogie championship final has begun. Sunday August 30 is the confirmed date, Castleblayney are the confirmed opponents, and Drumhowan is the confirmed venue!!! Not confirmed yet, is the time, but as soon as football fixtures are scheduled, a time will be arranged. So make sure and put the date in your diary.
All the action in the coming week will centre round our County U-14s as they participate in a provincial and national blitz.
Monaghan’s section of the Provincial Blitz will be held in Truagh on Saturday morning, Aug 22. Monaghan will face teams from Cavan, Donegal, Armagh, and Tyrone. The blitz gets underway at 11am sharp with registration at 10.30am. Training in advance of the blitz takes place on Tues evening in Concra at 6pm and at the same time in Clontibret on Thursday evening (main pitch). As many as possible of those who have expressed an interest should attend the training sessions to facilitate Monaghan management putting out the best possible selection on Saturday.
Participation in the Provincial Blitz is a pre-requisite to participation in the National U-14 Camogie Blitz on Sept 12. This is the fourth year of this event and last year 1250 U-14 players from 48 teams (1st and 2nd string of players from many counties) took part, at various venues across Dublin. This year it is expected the attendance will be even greater. Registration will take place at 10.30am on Sat Sept 12 so an early departure time can be expected from Monaghan!
Participation in the National U-14 Blitz enables counties enter their county teams in the onfield parade in Croke Park during half time of the senior camogie All-Ireland final, the following day, Sept 13. This is the third year of this initiative and it has proven hugely successful with so many young girls getting their first ever opportunity to step on to the hallowed turf of this great Gaelic games stadium. County panels must wear their county jersey but may wear co-ordinating track-suit bottoms and carry a county flag and/or banner. Details regarding these blitzes will be discussed further at training in the coming week.
Congratulations to our U-16 team who continued their winning ways with a very convincing victory over Middletown on Tuesday evening last. Many thanks to the parents who provided transport and helped out in any way at the match itself.
Panel: Ríoghnach Duffy (Capt),Abbie McArdle, Kirsty Morgan O-Reilly, Amy Gorman, Sioneen Morgan, Katie Carragher, Lisa McEneaney, Chloe McGuigan, Katie Leonard, Jennifer Duffy, Clíodhna Moran, Siobhan Kelly, Christina Renaghan and Chloe Markey.
Our seniors had a walk-over from Culloville in the Division 1 Armagh League on Sunday last. This leaves them with one remaining fixture against Castleblayney in September. However the outcome of this match is academic as Clontibret are ‘home and dry’ at this stage!
On Wednesday our seniors play Inniskeen in a fair-play (9/10 aside) rules, Monaghan league game in Clontibret at 7.30pm. Regardless of how many they field, Inniskeen have traditionally provided a stern physical test for our cailiní so let’s hope speed and superior skill win the day! Having been beaten by Castleblayney on Sunday, Inniskeen will be most anxious to salvage something from this competition. We wish our seniors well.
Clontibret host Collegeland in the U-12 League on Saturday. Hopefully this match will be played in the afternoon to allow some of the panel participate in the Provincial blitz. Marie/Ned will be in contact with parents regarding arrangements. We wish our young players well.
Congratulations to O Neill Shamrocks who qualified for the Junior championship final, on Sunday next, against the winners of Carrickmacross v Killanny. Best wishes to O Neill Shamrocks.
A reminder that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service are holding a clinic in Castleblayney this Wed, Aug 19, from 4.30pm to 8.00pm. Donors, especially new donors, are particularly welcome and people are reminded that blood supplies are desperately needed all year round. Check out www.giveblood.ie for further details.
Finally, congratulations to senior player Clíona McDonald, and Muireann Atkinson on their excellent Leaving Cert results – every good wish for the future girls.