Ulster Champions – Lets Party!

Last Sunday (29th November) was a special and memorable day for our club, our community and indeed our county and will certainly be a weekend never to be forgotten as our wee club were crowed the AIB Ulster Junior Football Club Champions. That’s right folks, ULSTER CHAMPIONS (I could say that day!!!) The lads produced a stunning performance that was way too strong for Faughanvale (Derry) as they and capped off a remarkable year with a 3-10 to 0-9 victory to secure the title and bring home the Paul Kerr Cup back to County Monaghan. This victory was built on huge commitment and spirit and while Faughanvale showed their pedigree with some fine and determined football our superior self-belief was really evident and we powered onwards to claim the title which was absolutely brilliant and brought tears of happiness to many people’s eyes (even the hardest of us!!!) I want to acknowledge the hard-work from all the players and our team management for their dedication and commitment over the year. There’s not much to say that I haven’t said already over the last couple of months! They are a great bunch of lads who left nothing behind in their efforts and they owe the club nothing. Their actions will now inspire future generations within our club and from a very proud chairman I congratulate all involved for a fantastic 2015 season. When we now talk-about about “Junior Doubles” we are referring to the Junior County Championship along with the Ulster title (that may keep the 1982 legends quiet…at least for a short while!) We now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final showdown against Ardnaree Sarsfields (Mayo) which is scheduled for the 23rd / 24th January 2016. But for now it looks like this party is going to continue for a while yet!

Amazing Support

Last Sunday was bitterly cold but despite the nippy weather conditions, where the rain lashed down and the wind cut you in two, I want to thank all the amazing supporters who travelled to the Athletic Grounds, Armagh to shout and cheer on the lads. After the match I was chatting to a lot of Monaghan people from neighbouring clubs and I am truly humbled with the amazing support that we received and it was greatly appreciated.

Thank You

On behalf of the Rockcorry GAA club I would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Monaghan County Board for letting us use their fine facilities at Cloghan when our pitch was unplayable over the past couple of weeks due to the wet weather conditions. I would like to give a special word of appreciation to Emmet Flanagan who always went above and beyond his duties to help out and was always willing to provide assistance to our every need. Thanks Emmet, greatly appreciated. To all the clubs and GAA people through-out the county who sent emails, text messages, made phone calls or posed social media messages we thank you all for your kind words over the past few weeks.

Hard Luck Scotstown

On behalf of the club I want to say hard luck to the Scotstown players and team management who unfortunately lost out to Crossmaglen in last Sunday’s Ulster Senior Club Championship Final. You gave a great account of yourselves and for long periods you were the better team during normal time. I know it’s bitterly disappointing and heart breaking to lose a final and its tough on everyone but you can all hold your heads high for producing some wonderful performances throughout the Ulster campaign.

National Club Draw

Following a recent committee meeting I am delighted to announce that the club will be participating in the GAA National Club Draw which features some sensational prizes. The tickets cost €10 each and are printed in books of 5 and will be available from all committee members and senior players. I am sure you will agree that there are some fabulous prizes on offer with first prize a new Opel Corsa. You can support the club by buying and selling tickets. Those who buy tickets will be entered into a draw, with prizes provided by GAA Central Council. Each club will retain the proceeds of the tickets sold by their club. For full details please log on to www.gaa.ie/nationalclubdraw.

Annual General Meeting

The annual general meeting takes place on Sunday 13th December in the club rooms at 4.00pm. Nomination forms have been circulated to all club members and should be returned to club secretary Martina McKeown before Friday 11th December. A few club officers have decided that they are not seeking re-election so there is plenty opportunity for new people to step up and get involved. Our annual general meeting is the most important meeting of the year and ALL club members are invited to attend in order to reflect on the last twelve months and to look ahead for the upcoming year. It is also a time to elect a new management committee and to communicate with our members about how the club is functioning. A major challenge facing the club is that not enough people are getting involved at committee level and the message is loud and clear that we need new faces, we need new blood on board to bring forward new ideas, new energy, new people with fresh thoughts, new workers with different concepts and new members with different viewpoints…BE THAT PERSON AND GET INVOLVED.

Monaghan GAA Awards Night

Monaghan County Board have announced the date for the 2015 Awards night. It will take place on Friday 22nd January 2016 in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan. The awards winners will be announced at the Annual Convention on Thursday 3rd December. Also on the night the 2015 Monaghan Senior Panel will be presented with their Ulster Winning Medals. More details on tickets will follow in the near future.

Christmas Tree Table Quiz

We all like to see the village looking Christmassy over the festive season and there’s nothing nicer than seeing a well-lit Christmas tree on the village green. The Christmas tree committee is holding a table quiz on Friday 11th December in Rockcorry National School (Cootehill Road) at 8pm and I would appeal to everyone in the village to support this as generously as they can. Table of 4 costs €20 and refreshments will be served.

Rockcorry Community C.P.R.

Rockcorry Community C.P.R will be holding a Defibrillator training course on Monday 7th December in Gallonray House, Maudabawn at 6:45pm. This course is supported by the Cavan and Monaghan ETB Community Education Service and they are extremely thankful for their funding. There are a small number of places available and there is NO cost. If interested, please contact: Sharon on 086 6022919 or Lynda on 086 8252344.

Senior Citizen Sponsored Walk

Are you ready boots…let’s start walkin! Yes folks, it’s that time of year once again when people get on their walking boots to raise money for the popular Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party. The Rockcorry Dartrey Community Alert committee have sponsorship cards now in circulation and I would urge everyone within the parish and surrounding communities to support this event which takes place on Saturday 5th December. If you are interested in joining the walk and would like to help raise some money you can obtain a sponsorship card from Gerry Coyle or Pat McCormick. The walk promises to be a great day for all the family but if anyone who cannot do the walk but would like to make a donation then please get in touch. As they always say….every little helps.

Online Shop

Do you like shopping online? If the answer to that question is ‘yes’, then I have just the thing for you! The club, in conjunction with O’Neills, has set up an online shop, just in time for the Christmas shopping, where you can buy all the latest club gear including jersey’s, polo tops, T-shirts, hoodies, half-zip training tops, jackets, tracksuit pants and lots more. There is an excellent choice and its great quality so please click on the link to visit the online store and make a purchase by adding to cart. https://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa/ireland/rockcorry-gaa.html

Top 4 Lotto Results

The numbers drawn on Monday 30th November were 10, 11, 24 and 28. There was no jackpot winner of €5,100.00. The following won €15 each :-

Trisha & Tristan, Rockcorry, Patsy Mannering, Aghabog, Paddy McKeown, Dartrey, Tina & Kate, Rockcorry, Cathal, Katie & Amy Sheridan, Rockcorry, Marie McGeough, Newbliss, Mya & Layla Monaghan, Rockcorry, Ivan McCollum, Rockcorry. Next week the jackpot will be €5,200.00 and the draw will take place in Paddy Lynch’s. Thank you 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.

Cut Above

On behalf of the Rockcorry GAA club I would like to extend congratulations and best wishes to Niamh Fitzpatrick who has recently opened a new hair salon in the village. Niamh will officially open A Cut Above on Thursday 10th December from 6pm to 9pm. Everybody is invited to call up and visit the new salon and have a few nibbles and a wee celebratory drink.

Malachy Cleary 45 Card Drive Memorial

Malachy Cleary was a great character in our community and enjoyed playing cards and having the craic. On Sunday 20th December a 45 Card Drive will take place in Fitzpatricks starting at 8pm sharp. It costs €10 per head to enter and all money raised will be donated to a local charity the Ballybay Cancer Society. Refreshments will be served on the night and we look forward to seeing you there on the night.

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