300 Miles in 300 Minutes: This Saturday, May 9, we ask all sections of Monaghan Harps GAA Club to come together while staying apart, as we set ourselves a challenge to complete 300 miles in 300 minutes (7am to 12 noon), with the hope of raising €3,000 to be divided between two worthy local charities, Crocus and SVP Monaghan. All we ask is: 1) You get in contact (via Martin Sheridan on 087 8366953) and let us know what distance you can do; 2) You raise/donate €30; 3) You wear Harps gear/colours when taking part; 4) You adhere to the Covid-19 HSE guidelines. We have had a great response so far and people have been very generous with their donations via our GoFundMe page. See link to donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/monaghan-harps-rising-for-crocus-amp-svp-monaghan or by contacting Nicola Shalvey on 086 4040161. Thanks to everyone for their support and for rising to the challenge. Crocus are a voluntary, peer-support group for those living with a cancer diagnosis who are at different stages on their journey, who are solely dependent on donations and charity fundraising events. St. Vincent De Paul Monaghan work directly with people who have a variety of needs. Any assistance offered is given in a non-judgemental spirit of compassion, based on the need of the individual or family.

 

Cumann Cláirsigh Mhuineacháin – Here To Help: We are aware of the fear and disruption caused by Covid-19, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable members of our community. The health and wellbeing of all our community is extremely important to us in Monaghan Harps GAA‏. Should you or a person you know require prescriptions, groceries collected or a reassuring chat if you feel lonely/isolated, please phone or text the following: Úna Forde, Healthy Club Officer 0876107329; Nicola Shalvey, Secretary 0864040161; Jimmy Croarkin, Chairperson 0871249635. See our club’s social media accounts for many other useful contact numbers.

 

Kerry Foods: Monaghan GAA, in conjunction with Kerry Foods, have donated some free frozen meals for members of our community. Deliveries take place on a weekly basis. If you or someone you know would like to avail of this, please contact our Healthy Club Officer Úna Forde, in strict confidence, on 0876107329.

 

Charity fundraisers: Well done to our U-9s, who remotely joined their friends to take part in the latter stages of Dick Clerkin’s Burpee Challenge, which raised €8,000 for Barnardos this week. Well done also to the county minor boys for taking part in the ‘Run Against The Sun’ challenge. With Darkness into Light postponed, Pieta House are planning alternative fundraisers. See online for details.

 

Activity suspended: In keeping with the guidelines issued by the Government and the HSE and national advice from the GAA due to Covid-19, we have suspended all activity and our facilities remain strictly closed until further notice. This includes all games, training and team gatherings for all ages and any recreational purposes. Thanks for your continued co-operation. Please follow the HSE and World Health Organisation guidelines and try to look out for people in our community who may need help at this time. We would like to thank the front-line staff in the health services during these times and remind people to find their news updates from trusted and verified sources. Monaghan Harps GAA Club is closed to all GAA activity and our pitches and gym are closed to all. We look forward to being able to welcome all our players and members back to our club in the not too distant future but in the meantime, we ask you to be responsible for yourself and the health of all our community, especially those most vulnerable. We encourage our members to remain active and to keep an eye on our club’s social media accounts for updates. Bígí sábháilte.

 

Stress Control: The Stress Control course that ran in our clubhouse in February is now available online at https://stresscontrol.org and may be useful for many during these extraordinary times.

 

GAA Digital Archive: The GAA, in conjunction with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, have launched the GAA Digital Archive at Croke Park providing free access to past GAA matches to internet users around the world. This might be useful to all GAA fans during this time of isolation! https://gaa.ie/gaa-now/archive/

 

Monaghan Harps Lotto: In keeping with the guidelines issued by the Government and the HSE regarding the Covid-19 outbreak, our Lotto is suspended until further notice.

 

Sympathy: The club sends sincere sympathy to the McConnon family on the death of Carmel’s father, Patrick (Packie) McCarney; the O’Connell family on the death of Christine’s mother, Mary Catherine Flynn; and the Murphy family on the death of Ronan’s mother Margaret. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

 

Hurling Club: We advise all club members to stay safe over the coming weeks and we hope to see everyone in full health in the near future. Please follow all guidelines and ensure that you look out for others during these troublesome times.

 

Ladies Club: Sincere condolences from all in the Ladies Club to the Murphy family on the recent death of Ronan’s mother Margaret.