Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting was held last Sunday 13th December in the club rooms and I would like to thank all the club members who braved the elements and attended the meeting. Our club secretary Martina McKeown presented her wide-ranging annual report which was divided into the following sections:- senior team achievement, reserve team, injuries, health & wellbeing, finance, administration, club website, club membership, Scor competitions, referees, club merchandise, bereavements, support and she also highlighted the challenges facing the club and the problem of few young faces on the committee. Our treasurer, Tina Rooney, presented her financial report which again was very comprehensive and gave an item by item account of our income and expenditure over the past year. She highlighted the revenue generated from our Top 4 lotto accounts for 50% of our income with the balance being produced by other fund raising events held through-out the year. Regarding our expenditure it was very evident from the spreadsheets that insurance & affiliation’s along with injuries and physiotherapy treatment costs remains a significant constraint on the club. With regards to our juvenile teams Tracey Rooney gave a detailed account of all the events and achievements of our underage teams during 2015 and presented his report under the following headings:- Nursey, Go Games, Under 12/14 team, under 16/18 team, Bosco Carroll memorial cup / Terence Reilly Memorial Shield, She paid tribute to all the underage coaches for their efforts in coaching and looking after our young players over the course of a fun-filled year of activities and she also thanked referees who officiated at blitz sessions. Brian Carroll as our Health & Wellbeing Officer gave an update in relation to the clubs ongoing work at identifying and responding to the GAA’s health & wellbeing programme. It is a vast and limitless portfolio and Brian stressed the importance of setting up a small sub-committee to look after this remit.

Election of Officers

The election of officers was as follows and I have to compliment Martina McKeown, Tina Rooney and Pascal Smyth who indicated originally that they were not re-seeking election. However, due to the inadequate response of suitable nominations rather than let the club down they agreed to carry on their role for another year with a view of handing over the batten definitely next year. Our committee for 2016 will consist of President, Fr. Gerry White, Chairman Michael Carroll, Vice Chairman Anthony Tate, Secretary Martina McKeown, Assistant Secretary – TBC, Treasurer Tina Rooney, Assistant Treasurer TBC, PRO Michael Carroll, Players Representative Mark Daly, Youth Officer Sharon Fox, Coaching Officer Pascal Smyth, Registrar Pat Brannigan, Health & Wellbeing Brian Carroll, Irish & Cultural Officer TBC, Child Protection Officer TBC, Committee Members Tom Daly, Sean Rooney, Eamon Clerkin, Ann Carroll, Conor Brannigan, Andrew Carroll, Gerry McKeown. It’s great to see some new faces coming on board and hopefully with new blood comes new and fresh ideas with renewed opportunities and in the words of our club secretary “No matter how much falls on us, keep ploughing ahead, that’s the only way to keep the road clear”….Here’s hoping for a great 2016.

All-Ireland Sem-Final

Our AIB All-Ireland Junior Club Championship Semi-Final against Ardnaree Sarsfields (Mayo) has been confirmed for Sunday 24th January at Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon and the game has a throw-in time of 2pm.

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. This will be a proud and great night for the club after a very successful and historic year and Niall McKeown will receive his ‘Junior Football of the Year’ award and the club will also receive their ‘Club of the Year’ accolade. Also on the night the 2015 Monaghan Senior Panel will be presented with their Ulster Winning Medals.If you want to attend the Monaghan GAA Awards Night please send me a text message to 086-1041165 specifying your name and quantity of tickets required.

Gaelic Life All-Star Nominations

The Gaelic Life Ulster Club All-star Nominees were announced last Thursday and were also included in last weel’s Gaelic Life Newspaper. Amazingly, we have five nominees and it truly reflects the wonderful season we have enjoyed. I want to offer my congratulations to Jamie Smith (Goalkeeper), Niall McKeown (Full-Backs), Keith Daly (Half-Backs), Mark Daly (Midfield) and Mark McGuirk (Full-Forwards). It’s great to see the lads shortlisted as deserved recognition of the quality of football they displayed throughout the Ulster Championship Campaign. They are among the best and top-class players through-out Ulster which is a terrific achievement and a really lovely honour for them. To vote for the lads please log on to www.gaeliclife.com and click on Club All-Stars and then VOTE. Please note only ‘one vote’ per IP address is allowed and the vote DOES NOT determine the overall winner. The deadline for the public view of votes is Monday 14th December at 10am.

Gala Awards Night

The Gaelic Life Gala Awards Night will take place on Friday 15th January at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan. Dress code is ‘Black-tie’ and the meal will be served at 7.15pm sharp. Compere on the night will be Darragh Maloney (RTE) and tickets cost £60 each. As this is a provincial event it is advisable to pre-book or book tickets early in order to avoid disappointment. Please contact Darren/Mairead on 028 (048) 8241-5060 for further details.

National Club Draw

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 are NOW 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.

BIG Breakfast

Everyone, please keep free Sunday 3rd January 2016 for a special fund-raising event because you can avail of a fully cooked Big Breakfast served up by the “Ulster Junior Club Champions”. That’s right folk’s, our senior squad have shown remarkable ability and composure on the playing field against formidable opposition now it’s their turn to master the art of using the culinary equipment and dishing up a ‘Full Irish’. It will take place in St. Mary’s Hall between 9am to 1pm so make sure you call in to get a big breakfast plus a photograph taken with the Paul Kerr Cup and the players who

have done this club, the community and our county so proud. All proceeds from the event will go towards our senior squad training fund as we prepare for the All-Ireland Junior Football Semi-Final clash against Ardnaree Sarsfields (Mayo) on Sunday 24th January 2016. Your support to date has been fantastic so please forget about your New Year’s Resolution (at least for one day) and start the New Year with a nice big full belly and whether you want a Full Irish or just a cup of tea and some toast we will be delighted to cater for your every needs.

Christmas Tree Table Quiz

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without your traditional Christmas tree and every year we’re always amazed at how well the village Christmas tree looks. This year, I have to say the Christmas Tree Committee have outdone themselves because the tree looks amazing. Seeing a spectacular 30 foot high Christmas tree up on the village green that dazzles with ‘Green & White’ lights you can’t but feel the excitement in the air. All credit to the Christmas tree committee and fair-play to the group of men who braved the elements this morning (Saturday 12th December) and pulled out all the stops to ensure the tree was erected for all of us to enjoy. I really hope that you all appreciate just how much time and effort goes into getting the tree up in order to enhance the village and making it look special over the Christmas season. You may have already supported the table quiz but if you were not able to attend then you can still support the cause by buying a bulb. I would encourage people within the community to support this event or alternatively consider making a donation. Any amount that you can afford would be greatly appreciated and will make a big difference. Once again a massive well done to all the workers, the tree looks totally great and Merry Christmas everybody…Ho, Ho, Ho.

Club Membership

Club membership is now due once again and can be paid to our club Registrar Pat Brannigan. The annual subscription for adults is €20 with all juveniles under the age of 18 costing €5 and any student that can provide a valid student card the membership fee is €5. With the new football season approaching it is important that ALL players pay their membership as soon as possible otherwise you will not be covered under the GAA insurance scheme. Please note that club membership will close on Thursday 31st March 2016.

Table Quiz

Aghabog GAA are holding a table quiz in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation and will take place on Saturday 16th January in the Aghabog GAA Centre. The entry fee for a table of four will cost €40 and there will be quiz prizes and raffle prizes on the night. The Irish Heart Foundation works hard to prevent people developing cardiovascular disease and to support those affected by it. The IHF is the only national charity working to reduce death and disability from heart disease and stroke. They are 91 percent funded by public donations. Nearly 10,000 lives are lost to this disease in Ireland every year – that’s 27 people a day – and thousands more are left with disability as a result of stroke. By supporting this table quiz or by making a donation to this worthy charity, you are helping to make life better for people affected by cardiovascular disease. Our club (Rockcorry GAA) has already committed to putting in a team and if you would like to be a part of team then please get in touch with myself as soon as possible. This is a great cause so please feel free to share this Event & Invite as many of your buddies as possible as all support would be very much appreciated.

Top 4 Lotto Results

The numbers drawn on Monday 14th December were 10, 11, 15 and 27. There was no jackpot winner of €5,200.00. The following won €15 each :- Seamus Tate, Rockcorry, Hugh & Caroline McGuirk, Swans Cross, David Matthews, Black-Kesh, Colm McCormick, Rockcorry, Mac Lennon, Rocvkcorry, Pascal Smyth, Lisnalong, Peter McKenna, Scotstown, Sean McCormill, Swans Cross. Next week the jackpot will be €5,300.00 and the draw will take place in Fitzpatrick’s.Thank you supporting our Top 4 lotto draw.

Top 4 Lotto Christmas Draw

Next Monday 21st December we will be holding our Christmas draw in Fitzpatrick’s and we will have loads of additional cash prizes plus all the normal weekly prizes. This will be our last lotto draw in 2015 and on behalf of the club I would like to sincerely thank you for supporting our lotto draw and we look forward to your continued support during 2016.

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

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