Scotstown Notes

Reserve League Division One: Our away fixture at Latton has been rescheduled for this Friday evening, March 30^th with a 6.45pm throw-in time. Both teams opened the season with a win at the start of the month, and will be looking to join Clontibret (who have won their first two games) on top spot in the table. We are also scheduled to take on Castleblayney at home on Sunday afternoon (April 1^st) at 2pm.

Reserve League Division Three: Our C team shared the spoils with Aughnamullen on Saturday last with a final score of Scotstown 1-10, Aughnamullen 0-13. Their next outing will be a home fixture against Castleblayney Faughs on Saturday, April 14^th throwing in at 7pm.

Minors: This squad began the week with a useful workout in the Ryan Tierney Memorial Blitz Tournament on Sunday last in Clogher. The Minor League Division One season got underway on Tuesday evening when Scotstown travelled to Gavan Duffy Park to face Monaghan Harps – see the results section of this paper for the score. The next fixture is a home league game against Carrickmacross next Tuesday, April 3^rd throwing in at 6.45pm.

Under 14’s: Our Under-14 Division One team opened their campaign with a fine victory over Monaghan Harps on Saturday last, in what was a great team effort from the whole panel. Our Division 5 team played their Harps counterparts afterwards in a useful challenge match, losing narrowly in a close encounter.

Under 12’s: The Scotstown Under-12 B team (9-a-side) begin the season with a home game versus Tyholland this Saturday, March 31st throwing in at 12 noon. Afterwards, the Under-12 A team (11-a-side) contest their first game of the season at home to Truagh Gaels starting at 1.15pm.

Allianz League:  Monaghan played Galway on neutral ground on Sunday last in Division Two, with four Scotstown players seeing action. The Tribesmen came away with the points, which means Monaghan need to get a result in Omagh against Tyrone on April 8^th to stand a chance of staying in Division Two.

Presentation Night: There was a good attendance at the Presentation Night on Saturday last, where the successful Under-21 and the Reserve Division One League winners of 2011 collected their medals. It was a joint event, with the Ladies Club also handing out their accolades on the night for the year gone by. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who helped make it such a successful event.

Easter Camp: Monaghan Coaching & Games Development will be running a 3-day Gaelic Games Easter Camp for boys and girls aged 5-10 years taking place on the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th of April. The camp runs each day from 10.30am until 2.30pm. The Scotstown Training Grounds at Kilmore East, Ballybay and Donaghmoyne will be the venues. The cost is €40 for the first child and €35 for additional children from the same family. Please contact Games Development Manager Paul O’Connor on 086-8374827 or developmentmanager.monaghan@gaa.ie for more details. Closing date for registering is April 4^th.

Handball Juvenile Club Leagues: The semi-finals and final of the Group 3 handball league took place on Thursday night last with a very high standard in all three matches. In the first semi-final, Killian Sherry defeated Conor McMahon 15 – 12 and 15–9. There was not much between these players but Killian has being taking part in the county championships for a few years now and this bit of experience stood to him. In the second semi-final, Liam McCague defeated Ronan King and this was a very hard game to call between two very strong players. Liam managed to win 15-14, 12 – 15 and 15-14. The Final therefore was between Killian Sherry and Liam McCague and they did not disappoint with another 3 game cliff hanger that was played to a very high standard. In the end Killian won 13 – 15, 15-11 and 15-14. It was probably his ability to hit good roof shots at crucial times that won him the Shield. Well done to the 14 players who took part in this league, and it must be said that the sportsmanship in the semi-finals and final was top class and there were no losers – only winners. Tonight (Thursday) the Group 2 semi-finals and final for the Jack Murphy perpetual shield will take place at 7pm between James Curley v Fintan Hackett and Conor Mohan v Adrian Grew.

Go Games Referee Recruitment: Monaghan Coaching and Games Committee are recruiting Go Games referees for the coming year. Each referee will receive €15 per blitz. Referee’s must be aged between 14 and 18 years of age (3rd level students can also apply). Full training will be provided. For anyone interested, please contact John Meehan or Macartan McKenna. The closing date is tomorrow, Friday. For further information contact Colin Malone on developmentofficer2.monaghan@gaa.ie

Ciste: The monthly draw took place on Saturday night in the Social Club at the Complex and the winners were: €700 Liz Christy, Castleblayney; €300 Geraldine McCarville, Tydavnet; €100 Joe Murphy, c/o Dermot Maguire; €100 Ryan McKenna, Drumscor; €100 Maureen McPhillips, Guilford; €100 Michael Boylan, St. Dympna’s Tce; €100 Aaron Boylan, Derrynagad; €100 Patrick Treanor, Drumdart. Sellers Prize: €30 Michael Caulfield & €30 Ronnie McDermott. The next draw will take place on Saturday, 28th of April 2012.

Scholarships: Interviews for Gaeltacht Scholarships will take place in the Enterprise Centre, Castleblayney on Saturday 21st April beginning at 10am. These are half scholarships and are available for students in the 14 to 17 age bracket. There is no need to book in advance. For further information email irishculturalofficer.monaghan@gaa.ie

Bar Rota: Frank McKenna and Matt McCrudden will be on duty this weekend.

Complex Booking: The Sports Complex is available for any type of event, and the Gym is available for any sporting activity. Call Arthur on (086)8516944 after 5.30pm to check availability or to make a booking.

Girls U12 football: Training in Kilmore East next Tuesday, April 3rd at 6.30pm and on each Tuesday thereafter at the same time and place. This is for all girls who will still be 12 after the 31st of July 2012.