Monaghan Harps Lotto: Numbers 4, 21, 26 and 27. Jackpot of €3,300 not won. Residual prizes: €100 Hugh McCague c/o Séamus Treanor; €40 Peter McLoughlin c/o Paddy Donnelly; €40 Mary McGinn c/o Neil McGinn; €40 Christy McCabe c/o Séamus Treanor. Jackpot for Sunday, January 10 is €3,400. Lotto draw takes place in our refurbished clubhouse every Sunday night. All welcome.

 

Charity match: We kicked off 2016 in style with our annual charity match, which once again brought a good crowd to Gavan Duffy Park on New Year’s Day. As ever, an enjoyable game, refereed by Brian Harvey, featured members from all sections of the club and well supported by local businessmen like Colm Herron of the Hillgrove Hotel, Terry Gilsenan of Terry’s Bar, Raymond Aughey of the Squealing Pig and Frank McEnaney of the Westenra Arms Hotel. Mark McCabe once again stole the show with two great goals in the second half. We then gathered in the clubhouse, where we had an evening of fun which included a well-supported raffle. Businesses who donated prizes were: McNally’s filling station, Dunsinaire; Sloane’s Spar, Glen Road; McCaughey’s Bar, Park Street; The Four Seasons Leisure Club; McCleary’s Londis; Sams Bridge filling station, Coolshannagh; Black’s AllCare Pharmacy; Dolan’s Pharmacy (Gerry & Deborah Lynch); Westenra Arms Hotel; Eastern Balti House; Costcutter Community Shop; Maurice Galligan; the Connell family; the Gunn family; Terry’s Bar; the Monaghan Harps clubhouse and Pádraig Callan. Owen Connell thanked everyone involved and made a special presentation to the very popular choice for Man of the Match, Mark McCabe. Thanks to all prize sponsors, everyone who took part in or attended the match and the organisers. All funds raised will go to a local charity/charities to be named at a later date and any sponsorship forms still to be returned can be left into the clubhouse or to the organisers.

 

Sympathy: The club sends deepest sympathy to the Harden family on the death of Madge last month. John and Madge have been synonymous with the Harps club for many years and we are indebted to them for their efforts. The esteem with which Madge was held was clear to see from the large number of club members who took part in a guard of honour at her funeral. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

 

Lotto AGM: The Lotto AGM took place in the clubhouse on Sunday, December 20. Maria McKenna and Rose Donnelly reported on another profitable year for the lotto. All ticket sellers and everyone who takes part in the rotas for the draw and for selling tickets in the shopping centre were thanked, as were the Sunday-night regulars and long-time MC Patsy Kearns, the bar workers and Treasurer Jimmy Croarkin. The jackpot was won twice in 2015 and now stands at €3,400, while the highlight of the year for the Harps Lotto was the 21^st birthday celebration. Sympathy was expressed to anyone associated with the Lotto who suffered a bereavement during the year and we again wished Tessie Connolly a speedy recovery to full health. The following committee was returned for 2016: Chairperson: Maria McKenna; Vice-Chair: Noel Hennessy; Secretary: Rose Donnelly; Assistant Secretary: Monica Connolly; PRO: Colm Shalvey. Thanks to the lotto committee for providing food and entertainment on the night. The Harps Lotto has played an essential part in the running of the club over the last two decades and continues to do so. We ask for everyone’s continued support and remind members that anyone who wishes to contribute in any way is very much encouraged to get involved.

 

Happy New Year: We would like to wish all our players, coaches, members, supporters and sponsors all the best for 2016! Athbhliain faoi Mhaise daoibh.

 

Membership: Registration fees of €20 for 2016 can now be paid to club registrar Kevin Treanor or in the clubhouse.

 

Calendar: The last copies of our 2016 calendar, featuring excellent photos of club teams from throughout this year are on sale now from McConnon’s shop, the Cosy Bar and the Harps clubhouse for just €5.

 

Congratulations: To Stephen Driver and Ciara McPhillips on their engagement.

 

Club history: A group of members are currently working on finishing a club history. Anyone who wishes to submit material is asked to contact Fergus Coyle, Enda Galligan, Joe McElvaney or Colm Shalvey. Club photos of historical value are particularly welcome and they can be emailed to Pro.monaghanharps.monaghan@gaa.ie.

 

Gavan Duffy Park: The refurbished Monaghan Harps clubhouse is available to book for functions. Contact Jimmy Croarkin on 087 1249635 or Pádraig Callan on 087 2139188 for more information. Anyone looking to book the clubhouse for meetings, functions, etc. is asked to please give a week’s notice for convenience.