Lotto – Castleblayney Faughs are delighted to launch their revamped Club Lotto in order to raise funds for the continued upkeep and development of our club and the club facilities. As you would be aware the Lotto has been in place for a number of years, so what has changed? Firstly there is no change on the actual jackpot; it will remain at €11,000 until won. The numbers are also unchanged – pick 4 numbers between 1 & 28. It is still €2 per line as well but with an extra incentive to buy 3 lines for €5. A big change will be the prizes, gone is the match 3 and instead 4 lucky tickets will be drawn on a weekly lucky dip, with the winning tickets each receiving €50, and in a totally new draw, if the jackpot isn’t won in the calendar month a new draw will be held for all entries in that month, with the winner receiving a prize. The first scheduled draw is at the end of April and the winner will receive €500. So all tickets bought from date of launch to the end of April will be entered in this draw. The monthly prize will range from cash prizes to large screen TV’s to weekends away etc.

The club will also make the tickets more widely available and to ensure people have the opportunity to play weekly the club will have a weekly stall in the Glencarn Town Centre from which the tickets can be purchased. The tickets will be available here on Fridays and Saturdays. Plus as always the tickets will be on sale in local shops and pubs and of course the sellers will out and about in the pubs at the weekends. Tickets can also be bought online at www.castleblayneyfaughs.com.

The weekly draws will also take place around the local pubs on a weekly basis and the first weekly draw will take place on Monday 9th April 2012 in Sean’s Bar, Muckno Street. The opening jackpot is €11,000 with 4 lucky dips of €50 if the jackpot doesn’t go. Remember, all tickets playing until the end of April will be included in the monthly draw for €500 if the jackpot doesn’t go, so please support the Lotto!

 Seniors – The Senior league begins next Wednesday night with a trip to Truagh for a 7PM throw-in.

Junior B – The Bs had two games last weekend defeating Truagh comfortably 6-19 to 1-08 on Friday night and drawing with Scotstown 1-10 each on Sunday.  This weekend they face Tyholland in Oram at 6.30PM on Saturday evening.

Minors – Pete McMahons minors opened the season with an entertaining 1-15 to 1-09 win over Clontibret last Tuesday night. A strong finish sealed the points after Clontibret had drawn level with 10 minutes remaining. Although missing a few key men Blayney held the advantage from early on with Barry Hanratty and Niall McCann in control at midfield and the strong running of David McMahon and John Beattie upfront causing Clontibret lots of problems. Beattie and McMahon scored 5 points between them in the first quarter as Blayney led by 4. The sides traded scores in the 2nd quarter the highlight being a fisted effort from Aidan McElroy right on half time as Blayney maintained that 4 point advantage. Blayney started the 2nd half on the front foot with points from Niall McCann, David McMahon and a long range score from Mark Kelly and had increased their lead to 6 points by the 40th minute.  Just as it looked as if Blayney would win comfortably Clontibret rallied and 3 pointed frees followed by a goal wiped out the lead in a flash. Blayney regrouped and with midfield starting to re-assert their authority 3 points in a row from David McMahon restored Blayneys advantage and a well taken goal from Brandon Duffy in the closing minutes was the icing on the cake. Result of this weeks’ game against Monaghan Harps will be in next week’s notes and next Tuesday night they travel to Scotstown for a 7PM throw-in.

U12 – The U12s travelled to Carrickmacross last Saturday for their opening matches. The A team were narrowly defeated after a titanic struggle while the B team had a great victory. Some of the lads to stand out on the day were David Irwin, Craig Callan, Michael Hughes and Conor Mulligan. Training continues at the usual times with the next matches scheduled for Saturday week.

Cairde Fág An Bealach – The Faughs fundraising drive, Cairde Fág on Bealach, is now well underway and the response thus far has been very positive. The aim of the scheme is to facilitate Faughs supporters and the local community in making a financial contribution to the St Marys Park development. There are two levels of contribution. People can commit €240 per year either as one yearly payment or a monthly payment of €20 per month. This will give the subscribers a special jacket and membership of the newly revamped lotto with major weekly prizes. Alternatively people can commit to paying €120 per year either by one yearly payment or a monthly payment of €10 per month; this will exclude membership of the new lotto. Our sellers will be contacting members in the near future; alternatively anyone interested in becoming a member can contact Club Treasurer Bob O Donnell on 087-6025027, Declan at Loughman Sports or any committee member.

Winter Training Programme – The programme will be taking a break for Easter holidays over the next two weeks.  All training will resume on Thursday the 19^th April. U6s are in Rath na nÓg (6PM-6.50PM), U8s on the Astro-Turf (6PM-7PM) and U10 on the Astro Turf (7PM-8PM).  As always new children are welcome on the night, for more details contact Brian Sherry 086 – 2334287, Keith Hanratty 086- 8225982, Ray Mc Ardle 087- 1383603.

Gaelic4Girls – The Gaelic4Girls is also on a two week break for Easter and will resume on the 19^th April.  It will continue at the secondary school gym every Thursday evening at 7PM. The scheme is aimed at girls of 8 years of age and above. For more details contact Darren McQuillan on 086-3844055.

Women in Motion – Charlene Casey along with Operation transFAUGHmation and the Muckno Triathlon Club are supporting “Women in Motion” to help raise awareness on the importance of exercise for women of all ages.  On Monday 9^th April there will be a free Zumba class from 3 – 4 pm in the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney followed by a 5K fun walk/run in the Black Island, Castleblayney.  Everyone welcome, Ladies please wear pink and gents welcome in women’s gear.

Club Notes – Any article for inclusion in the notes should be with club PRO Louisa O’Brien (087-7981035) or email to pro.castleblayney.monaghan@gaa.ie This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Monday night at 9PM.

Lotto – There was no jackpot winner of the lotto week ending 26th March.  The numbers drawn were 12,15,16, 26.  The three “Match 3” winners were Gerry O’Connor, 53 The Crescent, Gerry McCoy, Drollagh, Castleblayney and Martin Donaghy, C/O Centra.