Well, as we approach the end of January, the camogie calendar is already taking shape! The first under-age Indoor Blitz, U-8/U-10 takes place this Saturday (Jan 30) in Our Lady’s School Gym from 10.00am – 12 noon. Parents of intending participants are asked to notify Marie asap so that names can be forwarded to the Castleblayney Club.

It is hoped to re-commence county Minor training on Saturday, in Cloghan at 3.00pm. The time however, will be confirmed later this week. Following the first training a schedule of weekend/mid-week training sessions will be drawn up. New members, who were 14 years of age on January 1st this year, are welcome to trial for the squad – which had great success provincially and at national level in 2015. Hopefully this year they will go one better and claim a national title.

On Friday, Feb 5, the Club AGM will take place at 8.30pm in the GAA Club Rooms. It is very important that there is a good representation of players and parents, who are willing to contribute in whatever way, no matter how small, to the running of the club. Nomination papers will be sent out asap.

Sunday Feb 7th is the latest date for entering the GAA National Club Draw 2016. This year, as part of fundraising towards equipment for our underage county teams, each of the Monaghan camogie clubs agreed to sell a number of books. Tickets are €10 each and the pretty amazing prizes include: an Opel Corsa car, a trip with the 2016 All-Stars, a travel voucher worth €1,500, All-Ireland football and hurling finals 2016 Corporate package, All-Ireland hurling and football finals 2016 package x4, €1,000 shopping voucher etc, etc! Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket (or even a book of 5!!) can contact me.

On Monday Feb 8, Monaghan County Board meeting will take place in the Glencarn Hotel at 8.00pm. It is important that we have club representatives in addition to the Executive officers.

On Sat Feb 20th an U-12/U-14 Indoor blitz takes place in Clontibret Community Centre at 3.00pm. Parents are asked to notify me regarding the participation of their daughter(s). This event will also require the assistance of parents and senior players to run it and provide refreshments afterwards.

This date is also the date for the County and Provincial Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers to attend a networking meeting in Croke Park. A financial procedures workshop will take place as part of this.

Thursday, Feb 25, is a very important date for anyone – especially parents, Gaisce students or senior players – interested in coaching our U-8 and U-10 members. Clare Dowdall, the Regional Development Officer, will facilitate a session focusing very much on this age-group, beginning at 7.30pm in the Community Center. The attendance at this course will very much dictate the future of our club as it is critical that our young girls get started playing the game as early as possible. No previous experience in coaching is necessary.

Monaghan County Minors play the opening match of the National League away to Wicklow, on Sat Feb 27. Let’s hope we have a good cohort of Clontibret players represented on the panel!

The National Féile 2016 competition takes place in Tipperary/Waterford this year from June 17 – 19th. Monaghan’s representatives will play in Division 5. In a new departure, 2 ‘runner-up’ teams from 2 counties in each division (including Division 5) will also be chosen to participate. It is important that the Club Executive and parents of our U-14 players indicate, in the coming week, if they are willing to allow the club’s name (including their daughter) to go forward to participate in the ‘domestic leg’ of the competition and, in the event of winning or being drawn out, as a runner-up county, to partake in the necessary organising and fund-raising that participating in Féile entails. A text will be sent out towards the weekend.

Armagh County Board hope to have their fixtures booklet completed in the coming weeks. Once again we hope to participate in U-12, U-14, U-16, Minor and Senior competitions. However, it is crucial that we have volunteers come forward to help manage and train these teams – especially at under-age.

Well done to Chloe McGuigan and Ríoghnach Duffy who, along with Eileen Cullen (Castleblayney), re-commenced training with the Ulster Elite Camp on Saturday last, in Garvaghy Tyrone. Martin Fogarty, Kilkenny, was the ‘guest coach’ and the girls found it a great work-out.

Senior training continues on Friday evening at 7.00pm while U-16/U-14 training continues on Thursday evening in the Community Center at 6.30pm.

Every good wish to the O Neill Shamrocks U-16 team who play the long-awaited county League final on Sunday.

The deepest sympathy of the Club goes to Jean Carragher and the extended Carragher and McMahon families, on the death of Jean’s Mum, Zita. Prayerful sympathy is also extended to the McGuigan family, Carrickanure, on the death of Henry. Henry’s sister, Sue (RIP) was a former Clontibret, Cremartin and Monaghan county player. Our sympathy also goes to Bernie Woods and the extended Woods and McGuigan families, Derrynoose, on the recent death of Charlie Woods. Bernie, along with Lily Evans, Rosanne and Cecilia Murphy, Josie Lennon etc, played camogie with Clontibret, for a short while, when the Derrynoose Club was in transition from juvenile to senior.

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.