ROCKCORRY G.A.A.
CLUB NOTES
21st February 2012
Presentation Night
Our social & presentation night takes place tomorrow night Friday 24th February in St. Mary’s Hall. Refreshments will be served and the entertainment on the night will be provided by the fabulous John Devlin. Admission is a reasonable €10 which can be paid at the door. On the night we will be making presentations to various players, at senior, reserve and minor level, for their hard work and commitment during 2011 and members of the victorious minor team, John Greenan, Christopher Greenan, Keelan Clerkin, Gavin Farrelly, Lorcan Smyth, Fergal McGeough, Aaron Clerkin, Mark McGuirk and Owen McDonald will receive their winning medals. Furthermore, Mickey Friary has been chosen as this year’s recipient of our prestigious Hall of Fame award. Speaking at the meeting on the announcement of the award club chairman Jimmy McGeough said “I’m delighted with the committee’s decision because Mickey is a worthy recipient and it will be a great honour to reward a person who has made a significant contribution towards the club”. I would like to echo those sentiments and extend my congratulations to Mickey who, in my mind, fully deserves this honour as he has worked tirelessly over the last four decades serving the club. Well done Mickey and I hope you thoroughly enjoy tomorrow night.
The “Mighty Minnows”
In 1982 the “Mighty Minnows” as they were so-called, displayed the skills and traits of all that is good in Gaelic football and they were a treat to watch. They entered and won the Ballybay tournament over the summer months, beating a gallant Tullycorbett team in the final. This year marks the 30th anniversary and the club will be making a presentation to the players at social & presentation night tomorrow evening.
Team Selector
At a recent meeting the committee ratified the appointment of Cormac McFadden as a team selector. Cormac was previously involved in 2010 when he spent the year as team selector and from there he moved onto team manager for the 2011 season and when I caught up with Cormac last weekend he said “I’m obviously delighted to take up the position….it is always a privilege to be able to serve the club and be involved. I’m looking forward to working alongside the team manager Jim Clifford and my focus will be to give whatever support is necessary to him and the players”. He accepted there is big challenges ahead and that the season won’t be easy and remarked “I’m looking forward to the challenges….the quality of teams competing in the intermediate league is very high and the importance of being ready for every game is vital so we all know we have to work hard at training and in every single game”. He continued by stating “we have a bunch of players who are extremely talented and who I believe will take the club to higher heights. There is a nice blend of ‘seasoned’ players along with some younger minor players coming through and it will be our role to maximise their full potential”. Finally he highlighted “as last year’s team manager I was very impressed with the work ethic of the group of players and I know they are hungry for success. They are young, committed and once they dedicate their time, energies and are prepared to make scarifies then we should be there or thereabouts come the end of the season”. Well Cormac, on behalf of the committee and supporters I wish you, Jim and the entire panel of players all the best in your endeavours to bring silverware to the club during 2012.
Reserve Team Management
Tom Daly has been appointed as our team manager for the year ahead. Tom is off course a former player with the club and was a playing member on our victorious junior double winning team back in 1982. He has a lifelong involvement with the club and his reputation speaks for itself. Tom, on behalf of the club I would like to wish you and the team every success for the year ahead.
Reserve League Fixtures
The reserve team start their league campaign on Sunday 4th March with a home game against Castleblayney at 2.00pm. They are in action again on Sunday 25th March when they travel to play Oram at 12 noon. On Saturday 7th April they have another home game when they take on Sean McDermott’s at 6.30pm. All reserve players are reminded to attend training on Tuesday and Friday nights starting at 7.30pm sharp.
Shamrock Cup Final
The final of the Shamrock Cup between Monaghan and Tyrone will take place on Wednesday 29th February at the Monaghan Training Centre in Cloghan, throw-in time at 8.00pm. Niall McKeown has been representing the club and we wish him and the team all the best in the final.
Underage Fixtures
Our under 12 team commence their Spring league on Saturday 31st March when they travel to play Killeevan at 12 noon. The under 14 team start their league campaign on Saturday 21st April with an away game against Currin at 12 noon. Our under 16 team Rock Emmets (an amalgamation between Rockcorry & Aghabog) commence their football season on Thursday 12th April at 7.00pm. A full list of juvenile fixtures for the under 12, 14 and 16 teams is available to download from our website. Please log onto www.rockcorrygaa.ie for details.
HELP WANTED
The club provides enjoyment and exercise for various age groups including under 8’s, 10’s, 12’s, 14’s, 16’s and under 18’s. The success of the club is built on the willingness of people to get involved and we are looking for people to help out with our underage teams. I read an article recently that caught my attention and it basically highlighted that a club has no future unless proper coaching structures are put in place. At present we have a limited group of dedicated coaches & mentors that look after our underage teams but if we are to continue to grow and develop then we need more participation and involvement particularly from parents, former players and current players. If anybody is interested in helping out or sitting on a juvenile sub-committee then can you please contact our youth officer Pascal Smyth on mobile 086-8161028. Remember, you do not have to be an expert and you will be instructed by an experienced coach, but please come forward and volunteer. You may be able to spare one hour on a Saturday morning or one evening per week to supervise at training sessions, or maybe at a game. Whatever you can do please do come forward and offer your help as we need as many people as possible.
Juvenile Membership
Juvenile players who have not already done so should return their membership form along with the required €5 fee and a signed acknowledgment that they have read and understood our Code of Discipline by tomorrow evening Friday 24th February at the very latest.
Coaching Courses
As part of the “Spring” Coach Education Programme a Level 1 Youth & Adult coaching course will be held on Friday 2nd (7pm to 10pm) and Saturday 3rd March (9.30am to 4pm) and or Friday 9th and Saturday 10th March. If anybody is interested in attending these workshops or courses please get in touch with Paul O’Connor, Games Development Manager on mobile: 086-8374827 or email developmentmanager.monaghan@gaa.ie. In addition, a foundation level course will take place on Friday 23rd March at 7pm-10pm and on Saturday 24th at 9.30am to 3.30pm in Cloghan. The tutor is to be confirmed and the course costs €30 which will be paid by the club.
TOP 4 LOTTO Jackpot €11,200
The numbers drawn last Monday night were 12, 13, 23 and 26. There was no jackpot winner of €11,100.00. The following won €15 each :-Emer McGeough Rockcorry (Yearly Ticket), Emma McMullen Cootehill, Andrew & Amanda Mulligan Rockcorry, Mairead McCollum Rockcorry, Eugene Freeman Newbliss, Declan Leonard Aghabog, Andrew Carroll Rockcorry, Caroline McGuirk Swans Cross. Congratulations to all the winners. Next week’s jackpot will be €11,200.00 and the draw will take place in Fitzpatrick’s. Thank you for supporting our top 4 lotto draw.
Annual Top 4 Lotto Ticket
Just a reminder that you can support the club’s Top 4 lotto by entering for either a 12 month, 6 month or a 3 month period. To play simply select your four numbers between 1 and 28 complete the form and you need never miss a draw again! Tickets cost €90 for the 12 month option, so there is a great incentive to play. The annual ticket holders had a great run during last year’s lotto draws and we encourage all of our ex members and community to play and support the club’s Top 4 lotto. Your continued support is always much appreciated and we wish you good luck in future draws.
Club Membership
Club membership is now due once again and can be paid to our club Registrar Pat Brannigan. The annual subscription for adults is €20 with all juveniles under the age of 18 costing €5 and any student that can provide a valid student card the membership fee is €5. With the new football season approaching it is important that ALL players pay their membership as soon as possible otherwise you will not be covered under the GAA insurance scheme. Please note that club membership will close on Thursday 31st March.
Sympathy
On behalf of the club I would like to extend our deepest and sincerest condolences to the Finlay family (Ballybay) following the passing of Kieran Finlay. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Club Notes
If anyone would like to include anything within the notes please send the details by text (086-1041165) or email rockcorrygaa@live.ie. All notes must be with me before 9pm on Monday evening.
By michael Tue 21st Feb
