Clontibret

Clontibret Gold Rush

Some estimates put the number of participants last Wednesday at 1,300 but we do know that the turnout exceeded all expectations by a multiple such is the regard in which the Duffy family is held. Their cause, Leukaemia Bone-marrow Trust got an immediate cash injection of €17,287, with more to come. Every GAA club in county was represented as well as Running, Walking and Horse Riding clubs, some with a massive representation, all very much appreciated on the day.

We would like to thank the Duffy family for associating with the event, GAA HQ for their support, the Hall Committee and all those who worked tirelessly in the kitchen, those who cleaned up afterwards, to Peter (Delavey) McKenna & Eamon Hackett for the clock, and not forgetting the Gold Rush Gaels committee, Margaret Walsh, JP Moen, Niall Brennan, Martin McCague and Jerome and the O’Neills stewards and marshals who made sure that everything ran smoothly. Thanks to Brendan Buckley MN Civil Defence, Braeside Stores and Flemings Super Valu for finish line refreshments.

Sporting personalities Eve Mc Crystal, Christina Mc Mahon, JP Mone and Dean McMenamin, our local round the world cyclist, all added to the event, most of all thanks to those who contributed and participated. Apart from attendance at a football game it was remarked that this was the biggest sporting crowd ever in Clontibret.

First Men 5 Mile

Ciaran Sherlock Tydavnet, 2nd Garry Mullan Glaslough, 3rd Derek Callan Blayney

First Ladies: Donna Mone, Clontibret, 2nd Cliona Mc Ardle Tyholland 3rd Eimear Gormley Letterkenny

1st Mens 3 miler Thomas Mee Corduff

1st Ladies Amy Hamill Glaslough

Presentation Night and Tractor Draw

A well attended club presentation night took place in the Clubrooms on New Year’s Day , where presentations were made to players of the year as well as to our recently retired bar manager, Kevin Winters. Brian Greenan was presented with the Senior Player of the Year award; Kevin Ward got the Reserve Player award while the Jim Woods Award for young Player went to Christopher McDermott. The minor panel, winners of the McCartan Cup in Division One were presented with their medals by team manager Kieran Brennan. Kieran Lavelle then recounted the great service given by Kevin Winters in his role as bar manager from 1999 to 2016 and presentations were made to Kevin and Mary by Aidan Deighan and Frank McManus. Following on from this there was great anticipation for the Vintage Tractor draw and Kevin Winters pulled out the winning ticket with the name Kieran McKenna Truagh. Many thanks to all who supported this novel and very successful draw with special thanks to the club

members who promoted it often spending long days and nights at various locations across the country.

Tractor Run

On New Year’s Day a very successful Tractor Run left O’Neill Park shortly after 1:00pm with more than fifty tractors of all sizes and ages present. Gary Keenan won the prize for the best Christmas decorated Tractor with participants and supporters enjoying refreshments in the clubrooms afterwards

Table Quiz

The annual Juvenile Hurlers’ Fundraising Quiz was another successful event on a busy Christmas week which brought the quiz buffs to the clubrooms on Wednesday night.

Juvenile Presentations

Last Friday saw us round off 2016 with our annual Juvenile presentation night. As stated on the night we aim to progress and improve each year but it is just right to acknowledge the achievements of our kids throughout the year. Presentations were made to all our juveniles with our U12 teams getting their medals for both the development team and Div 1 team. Our U14s also were presented with their medals rounding off a great year for them. Most Improved Players awards were handed out with Luke Brennan taking the U10s; Ben Shannon for U12 Development Panel; Lewis Brady for U12 Div 1; Paddy Keenan for U14s and Shea Gorman for U16s. Congratulations to all these lads for their efforts this year. Lewis Brady took the overall Most improved player being presented with the Seamus Finnegan trophy by Conor McManus and Vincent Corey.

Many thanks to all our coaches for their hard work in 2016 and we look forward to seeing all our players and parents throughout 2017

Happy New Year

The busy events of Christmas week drew a line under 2016 and thoughts now turn to 2017.Affiliations for the new year take place next week and with Monaghan out on Sunday it’s a sure sign the new season has begun. Best wishes to all our players, managers, members and supporters for a happy and fruitful 2017.