Yes, folks, its that time of year again when we turn our attention to fund-raising and, more specifically our Annual Christmas Draw. Now in its 12th year, this draw continues to go from strength to strength with terrific prizes for the ridiculous sum of €2.

And the 2015 Draw promises to be bigger and better than ever with a first prize of €200!! A nice little windfall a week before Christmas. And what nicer way to de-stress after Christmas than with a half-day of pampering with your soul mate in the Farnham Hotel Cavan? I bet you would have no bother making it a full day, though. To enhance your image before Christmas, a voucher for Shauna Finnegan’s upmarket salon – Chic Hair and Beauty – would ‘hit the spot’! And in case you feel you haven’t enough provisions for Christmas, Linwoods, Middletown, are providing a tasty food hamper while some succulent steaks and meats come courtesy of a voucher for Charlies Meats. There is also the festive Christmas cake, biscuits, chocolates, sweets, bottles of wine and whisky. And if the prospect of cooking and washing up doesn’t appeal to you, we’ve even got a meal voucher sponsored by the Westenra Arms Hotel! Talk about something for everyone in the audience!!! The Draw will take place on Fri Dec 19 and sellers are asked to return their cards by Wed Dec 17. A special prize will be awarded for the primary or second level student who sells the most cards.

Congratulations to a number of our members who undertook Child Protection training recently on behalf of the club. These include: Macartan Kieran, Nicola Morgan, Aisling Greenan, Aideen Greene, Catherine Greenan, Michelle Morgan and Olivia Moran. This brings to 10 the number of senior members who are trained and vetted to work with players U-18 years of age.

In recent weeks Gerard Gribben stepped down as a Regional Development Officer for the Camogie Association after 8 years in the job. Lisa McAlliskey, RDO for Monaghan, Cavan etc has returned to college to train as a PE teacher and Clare Dowdall has taken her place. We wish Clare the very best in her new role and hope that her years of working with Dublin GAA will stand her in good stead!

Training for all second-level players continues each Thursday evening from 6.30 – 7.30pm in Clontibret Community Centre. New members welcome. After Christmas it is hoped to get training for our younger members underway again.

And finally, wonderful news in relation to Mary, this past week – Mary has officially been discharged from the ongoing care of St James’ Hospital, Dublin, and is permanently back in the bosom of her family!! Well done Mary – there is no doubt your indomitable spirit in no small way helped in the long journey of your recovery. And while we are not going to rush you back on to the playing pitches just yet, I would bet that a few outings to Switch and similar establishments are on the cards for Christmas?

Enjoy every minute of your new-found freedom!!