On Wednesday evening last our seniors got their season off to a winning start when they defeated Middletown in the first round of the Armagh League, Premier Division, on a score-line of 1-10 to 1-7. The girls gave a very feisty display and showed great team-work in what was a tough encounter. Their next engagement will be with Ballymacnab on Wednesday April 13.

Tomorrow evening (Tues) our U-16 team play their first match when they face Derrymacash, who make the long journey from outside Lurgan, to Clontibret. Please note that, at the request of Derrymacash, this match will commence at 7.30pm sharp. Players are asked to meet at 6.45. We wish the girls well.

Then on Friday, the players from Scoil Mhuire travel to Cloghan for a school’s blitz under the auspices of Cumann na mBunscol. And the following day our U-12 cailiní travel to St Brigid’s, Armagh, for the first U-12 Blitz of the season. Best wishes to all our under-age players.

Unfortunately, despite all the good wishes, Monaghan County Minors once again suffered defeat at the hands of Tyrone, this time in the Ulster Minor ‘B’ Championship, on Sunday last, on a score-line of 3-3 to 6-3. This was definitely a game of two halves with Monaghan failing to get a foothold in the match for most of the first half, but re-emerged completely focused and much more assertive in the second half and they really brought the match to Tyrone from the re-start. However, as they learned to their cost, opportunities squandered in the first half cost them dearly, despite trying desperately to make amends after the break. Tyrone play Donegal on Sunday next and Monaghan must await the outcome of this last match to determine if they are in the final. Well done though to Hannah McSkeane (Capt), Niamh Kieran, Emily Madden, Éimear McKenna, Sorcha McDonald and Rioghnach Duffy who did the club proud.

National Camogie Congress took place in Limerick last weekend. The event saw the replacement of a number of Ard Comhairle officers whose terms of office had concluded. Sheila O Donoghue, Waterford, takes over as Secretary replacing out-going Marie Kearney from Cork. Of provincial interest, the Síle Nic an Ultaigh award for outstanding service to the game was bestowed on Máirín McStay from the Clan na Gael club in Armagh, who is also President of Armagh Camogie Board. This is an honour richly deserved by Máirín who has been to the forefront over many years in promoting the game.

Registration for club membership, affiliation and insurance took place on Tuesday evening last. Parents who still have to register their daughters should contact the Club Secretary, Aisling McElvaney, or the team managers as soon as possible. We are very grateful to Olivia Kennedy who has taken on the very important role of Children’s Officer for the Club. In the coming weeks some aspect of child welfare, as it relates to a sports club, will be highlighted. With leagues getting underway its timely this week to focus on a few practicalities relating to notification of matches etc. Parents/guardians should receive adequate notification of matches and it is very important that the team manager, or Club Secretary, is notified of a player’s intention to attend, or otherwise. For underage players this communication must come from a parent/guardian. Players should arrive at the venue, or pick-up point, in time, and after the match should be collected promptly. Children should have the correct playing gear and a drink. The use of mobile

phones/electronic devices is banned in dressing rooms and these should be collected and retained by a parent/Club officer during the duration of the match.

The Kube: Don’t forget, tickets – lots of them! – for The Kube, which will feature, among others, Ned, Marie, Sinead and Emily, are available for purchase from any of our senior players and Committee members. Well worth the €20 to see them ‘strut their stuff’!!!

Training for the coming week is as follows: Seniors: Wednesday and Friday 7.30pm; U-16/U-14: Thursday 5.30pm (this week); County Minors: Tuesday, Thursday(?) 6.30pm and Saturday.

Finally, the sympathy of the club is extended to Sinéad, and the Mohan family, on the recent death of her grandmother, Mrs McNulty, Cullyhanna. May she rest in peace.