Ulster Club Championship Quarter Final

Firstly, a massive well done to Scotstown and Doohamlet on their impressive victories in the Ulster Club Championship’s last Sunday afternoon. It was a great day for Monaghan football and hopefully in a fortnight’s time all Monaghan clubs can repeat their performance and go another step further in the competition. On that point, I must also say well done to our very own senior footballers on securing a place in the Ulster Junior Football Club Championship Semi-Final with a 0-16 to 1-10 victory over Coa (Fermanagh) last Sunday (1^st November). The match was played in perfect conditions as the sun engulfed Brewster Park, Enniskillen and the old proverbial saying when describing many games that it was a game of two halves can certainly be applied to this encounter. We were really focused and controlled the opening exchanges and made a blistering start to the match and at the break we enjoyed a healthy 0-12 to 0-2 advantage. Coa needed a big turn-around and whatever words of inspiration were said during the interval they worked wonders because when play resumed they quickly began to reduce the ten point arrears with some nice scores to leave it 0-14 to 0-10 going into the final ten minutes. We certainly don’t make things easy for ourselves and during the second period we were guilty of letting our concentration levels drop which, on occasions, has been our Achilles heel! Thankfully, we were able to gather a bit of momentum towards the later stages and sailed over a couple of priceless points to emerge winners on a final score-line Rockcorry 0-16 Coa 1-10. The result means that we have qualified for the semi-final of the competition where we will travel to play Glasdrummam (Down) on Sunday 15^th November (Venue & Time TBC). Please visit our Facebook page to view a selection of action photographs.

Speedy Recovery

On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to extend our best wishes to Mark McGuirk and wish him a speedy recovery after he picked up an injury during the Ulster Club Championship match last Sunday.

Eurotech Junior Football League Final

It’s been a busy time in and around the club but I’m not going to complain! This Sunday is another big day as we travel to Drumhowan to take on Killanny in the Eurotech Junior Football League Final (Dr. Ward Cup). The game has a throw-in of 2.30pm and once again I would appeal to all our club members and supporters to get behind the team. Your support to date has been absolutely amazing and we have been overwhelmed with the level of support and goodwill. The constant positive feedback has rubbed off on the players and given them that extra bit of oomph to get across the finish line. Good Luck Lads.

Final DVD

The first batch of DVD’s have now been delivered and if you ordered a copy from me then please get in touch. You can still order a copy of the Junior Football Championship final by texting me at 086-1041165 or email pro.rockcorry.monaghan@gaa.ie. This is a must for any club member to have in their DVD library collection and DVD’s cost €15 each (Double Boxset)

Under 8 – End of Year Presentations

The final event of the year for our under 6 and under 8 players took place last Wednesday 28^th October when team coaches Sean McCaffrey and Sharon Fox organised an end of year presentation night. Sean McCaffrey welcomed everyone and congratulated all associated with the recent Junior Football Championship success and looked forward to the remainder of the year with great interest. He particularly thanked all the under 6 & 8 players for their efforts at training and all the Go Games Blitzes. Most of the players turned up and they were presented with a framed photograph to mark their first year playing football with the club. I have to say, this is a great wee bunch of players who have so much energy, enthusiasm and talent and hopefully they will continue to progress through the ranks in the many years to come. Our senior team captain, Niall McKeown along with Anthony Tate, Garry Calvert and Pascal Smyth, who our great role models for all the underage kids, were on hand to make the presentations.  It was a lovely occasion especially as the special guest on the night was the Packie Boylan Cup and the kids were “delighted” to get their photographs taken with the cup. On behalf of the club I would just like to echo Sean’s comments and sincerely thank all the parents for their ongoing support and commitment to travelling to the Go Games Blitzes. We have witnessed some amazing games throughout the year and I would like to personally thank all our hard-working mentors and coaches for taking the time to work with and nurture our underage players.

Annual General Meeting

With the year now over for the underage teams I would encourage all parents of children involved in the club to attend our upcoming Annual General Meeting which has been fixed for Sunday 13^th December. It is very important to get new faces, new blood, new perspectives and new ideas within the club to ensure that we can provide the very best of everything or anything for the kids. This is your club and you are always welcome.

Killeevan Tournament

It’s hard to believe that last Saturday was the last day of October yet standing out watching our under 12 footballers play Aghabog in the final of the Killeevan tournament for the Franck Lynch Memorial Cup you would think it’s the middle of summer! The game was played in glorious sunny conditions and it was a highly entertaining match that was played in a very sporting manner. Unfortunately, our performance failed to match the lovely weather conditions but the boys and girls tried hard and never gave up against Aghabog who proved too strong and they secured a comfortable win to capture the Frank Lynch Memorial Cup and I congratulate them on their tremendous display. On behalf of the club I just want to say a massive thank-you to the Killeevan GAA club for the kind invitation to play in their annual tournament for the Frank Lynch Memorial Cup. The players really enjoyed the occasion and many thanks for providing the after-match refreshments for all the kids and their parents & supporters. Well done everybody.

Monaghan Masters

Over your career you play for your club and if you’re good enough you may be lucky to be called up to play for the county team. I think it’s great to be able to represent your county, at any level, I mean to wear the white & blue jersey and represent your county must be an amazing experience! On that note, the Monaghan Masters team, that includes our very own club member Cormac McFadden, have qualified for the All Ireland Shield Final. They will play Westmeath this Saturday 7^th November at 1.15pm and the game takes place in Drumlish, Co. Longford. To continue to play the game you love in a competitive manner is great and on behalf of the Rockcorry GAA club I extend my best wishes to Cormac and the entire Monaghan Masters team in the All Ireland Shield Final.

Games Promotions Officer

Coiste Chontae Mhuineachain is seeking to recruit a coach who can deliver schools programme’s, development squad and summer camp coaching, community & disability development work as well as club mentoring initiatives in both Hurling & Football. The post is based on funding for it being retained and will commence immediately. The successful candidate will be contracted to work at locations throughout the County at the Games Development Manager’s discretion and direction. The candidate will be required to carry out administrative duties and he / she must also be prepared to do evening and weekend work. The applicant will be required to attend GAA and generic coaching courses and conferences. Government employment initiatives/schemes will also be a factor in selection. Please visit Monaghan GAA website for more information.

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