September 13th ‘11
Results
All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship in Association with RTE Sport
Wexford 2-12
Antrim 0-15
All Ireland Junior Championship Result
Waterford 2-11
Down 1-13
Ulster teams, Antrim and Down were pipped at the post in Croke Park on Sunday last when Down succumbed to Waterford in the Junior decider and Wexford overcame Antrim in the Intermediate match, however Jane Adams who was top scorer for Antrim, boasted 13 points out of the 15 and was awarded “Player of the match”.
Caman and Run
Clontibret who had been successful in representing Monaghan and being chosen to compete in the inaugural Caman and Run U 14 relay competition which was staged during the interval in Croke Park on Sunday last at the All Ireland Camogie Finals ran out overall winners of the U14 Section, Congratulations to : Niamh Kieran, Shauna Mc. Keever, Sinead Mohan, Hannah Mc. Skeane and Rioghnach Duffy were worthy winners.
U 14 Ulster Championship
Monaghan County U-14’s travelled to Letterkenny on Sunday week last to play Donegal in the first round of the Ulster Championship where they met a very strong skilful side who have been training together for the past year. Monaghan played against a very strong breeze in the first half and were under persistent pressure from Donegal. The halftime score of 2goals and 2points to no score was however still managable and with the breeze behind them in the second half, the Monaghan contingent felt the game was not beyond their grasp. Indeed Monaghan did have most of the play during the second half but unfortunately, despite all their efforts, which included hitting the post on several occasions and shooting numerous wides, the ball refused to go between the posts for the Monaghan girls. A final score of 3 goals and 3points to no score sees Donegal through to the Ulster Final against either Tyrone or Cavan. Full credit must be given to the Monaghan girls who made the long journey to Donegal and played with great determination and spirit.
Monaghan Panel :
Niamh Kieran, Rioghnach Duffy,Hannah Mc Skeane, Sinead Mohan, Cliona Mc Donald, Nicole Mc Nally, Sorcha Mc Donald, Shauna Mc Keever, Colleen Murray, Sioneen Morgan, Eimear Mc Kenna Niamh Hughes, Mary Duffy, Catherine Mohan, Shauna Mc Aree, Rebecca Treanor ( captain), Ciara Kelly, Kiera Morris, Siobhan Mc Bennett, Arlene Leonard, Clodagh Duffy, Sheena Mc Kenna, Jordan Mc Mahon, Niamh Fealy
Jack’s Bar Senior League
Clontibret 2-8 Castleblayney 1-5
The pairing for this year’s Jack’s Bar Senior League final became clear on Friday evening last when Clontibret had a comprehensive win over Castleblayney in Clontibret. Given the close nature of the senior championship final a few weeks ago and the fact that ‘Blayney had already booked a place in the Final, Clontibret needed a win, to secure a final spot.
Castleblayney dominated the earlier exchanges and an opening goal byNiamh Brennan seemed to set the tone of the game. This was quickly followed by a point from Amber Lam. Clontibret though eventually got out of the blocks when ace striker, Marie Greenan, delivered a point from a free followed by a point from play. Castleblayney replied with an Amber Lam free and Eileen Mc. Elroy edged her side in front by 2 points when she once again got a point from play but as the game entered the second quarter it was Clontibret’s Boyle triplets – Ailbhe, Aoife and Orlaith- Demi Moen and young Caroline McCague in goals, who were growing in confidence and gaining the upper hand in exchanges. Ailbhe and Aoife Boyle together with Nicola Morgan got their names on the scoreboard just before the halftime whistle.
Halftime score : Clontibret 0-7 to Castleblayney 1-3.
Clontibret went into overdrive at the start of the second half and snuffed out every Castleblayney attack. An early goal from Catherine Tomany set her side on their way to the final. Clontibret’s Michelle Morgan tagged on another point but not before Castleblayney’s Eileen Mc. Elroy and Niamh Brennan made a last ditch effort in sending 2 over from play. Clontibret had a second goal disallowed due to a goalmouth infringement. The introduction of Shauna Finnegan and Aisling Greenan added spark to Clontibret’s cause and Amy Moen netted at the end of the third quarter Poor visibility at the end of the match left playing conditions difficult but Clontibret now face Castleblayney once again when they meet in the final of the Jack’s Bar League on Sunday 2nd. October.
Mum and Me
Ger Gribben regional Development Co Ordinator for North Ulster/South Leinster has approached the clubs in Monaghan with a view to setting up the “ mum and Me/ Come Hurl with me/ Dads and Daughters programme. The purpose of the programme is to give parents more confidence when interacting with their daughters and in the long run create more volunteers for the club. Clubs are encouraged to take up the programme by contacting Ger Gribben : gerard@camogie.ie as soon as possible.
Club Notes
Castleblayney
Cumann na mBunscol
There was great excitement for the Cullen Family when a letter arrived from Croke Park in the month of August, outlining how Eileen had been chosen to represent her school Scoil na gCailini, Castleblayney, and County Monaghan, by Cumann na mBunscol to play in the G.A.A./I.N.T.O Go Games Exhibition (Mini 7’s) in Croke Park at the All Ireland Hurling Finalbetween Kilkenny & Tipperary on 4th Sept, 2011. What a fantastic and marvellous honour for Eileen,her family, her school and the Castleblayney Camogie Club. Credit for this great achievementmust go to Mary Murphy who tirelessly coaches the young camogie players from the Castleblayney area.
Community Games
Congratulations also to the McBennett family. Rachael won the County Poc Fada competition and represented Monaghan at the Community Games in Athlone recently where she was well placed against some very good opposition. She has represented her family, club and county with distinction. Keep up the practice Rachael.
U-14s
Well done to the U-14 squad who finished their Armagh League with an emphatic win over Culloville.
U-16s
Well done to the U-16 squad on winning the Aghabog tournament, in memory of James Travers. It was fantastic to see the work that has been done by Aghabog in remembering James who was a driving force behind the very strong Monaghan teams in the 1940s and 1950s. We were very impressed with the playing outfits worn by the teams of that era as seen in a very old photo in Aghabog. The girls must certainly have been very warm as they played.
Seniors
We lost to Clontibret last Friday night in the league but are already through to the league final as this was our first defeat.This game was scheduled to start at 7pm but only got underway after 7.15pm. The game was finished in near darkness , this raises some serious Health and Safety concerns for the teams as there were no floodlights available. As the evenings are closing in so fast it might be wiser to schedule these last few games for Saturday or Sunday evenings with an earlier start
.Congratulations to Roisin McKenna, Donna McKenna, Emma McKenna, Mary McElroy, Kelly Fisher and Louise O Connell who were on the All-Ireland winning Camogie team. Well done girls!
Congratulations also to Eileen McElroy on winning a County Football Championship with Donaghmoyne last Sunday and best of luck to her in next weeks All-Ireland Final vs Cork as she is also a prominent member of the County Football team.
Fundraising
Thanks to all the Club Members who helped out recently with our Table Quiz and Cake Sales. A very special THANK YOU to all who supported us by participating in the quiz and also by purchasing cakes and buns. The cake and bun selection was fabulous last Sunday morning with great colour and variety of flavours. We will be holding another table quiz before Christmasand need all the support possible. Watch this space for a date and venue, closer to the time.
Clontibret
It was a very tired but euphoric bunch of under-age players that arrived back to Clontibret on Sunday evening after their adventures in Dublin before and during the All-Ireland camogie finals.
First out were the 12 on the U-16 panel who met with, and then played, their club in the ‘Club Twinning’ programme – St. Moghues’s from Fethard–on -Sea, Wexford. The two teams got on famously and following a tough encounter in gale force winds St. Moghue’s ran out winners on a scoreline of 2-4 to 1-3. However, more importantly, contact details were swapped and a proper club exchange is already planned for 2012! Indeed Clontibret were also approached by the host club, Naomh Olaf, in relation to hosting their younger players so this will also be investigated in the coming year!!
From there it was on to Croke Park where the serious business of the day was taking place. As the older girls settled down to watch the cream of camógs do battle, our relay team prepared for their own half-time battle in the inaugural ‘Camán and Run’ competition– a relay race requiring each participant to solo 40m, turn around a shalom pole while still balancing the sliotar, solo 40m back and hand-pass the sliotar to the next team member – where they would meet Carlow, Donegal and Wicklow. However preparations were not going well as it became clear that a muscle injury picked up by Shauna McKeever, who played a ‘stormer’ in the earlier match, was more serious than had at first appeared, eventually forcing her to withdraw! A reluctant, emergency substitute was enlisted and it was game on again!
With Marty Morrisey providing live commentary and the relay being broadcast on the big screens, it was both nerve-wrecking and thrilling for our representatives – Niamh Kieran, Ríoghnach Duffy, Hannah McSkeane and Sinead Mohan. But how they rose to the occasion as commented upon by Mr Morrisey when he declared, ‘What a performance! These Clontibret girls, all the way from Monaghan, are really romping home to victory!’ and that is exactly what they did! Indeed, as Sinead crossed the finish line her closest rival was about 30m adrift! With a strong Ulster support already in Croke Park they received tremendous applause before being taken away for photographs and presented with the latest O Neills ‘Pink’ rain jackets and an O Neills sliotar. Another Ulster team, Castlewellan from Co. Down, were the U-16 winners.
Many thanks to Marie and parents Oonagh, Patricia and Marie who helped with supervision all day though, that said, the girls were a credit to themselves and their club.
Our seniors qualified for Jack’s Bar Senior League final on Oct 2nd with a comprehensive win over Castleblayney on Fri evening last. However, Castleblayney will once again provide the opposition in the final and a much sterner examination of our team is anticipated.
For Nicola Morgan, Fridays encounter was quite a test of endurance as not only did she get stung on the cheek!! during the first half, and require treatment, 5 minutes later an injury to her chin necessitated medical attention and steri-strips. However, the Iron Maiden refused to come off and played a pivotal role in Clontibret’s win.
In the Armagh Premier League, Clontibret played Keady on Tuesday evening. Match result next week.
Finally, parents will shortly receive application forms for the ‘Come Hurl with Me’ programme and are asked to complete and return as soon as possible!
By michael Tue 13th Sep
