July 17th ‘12
County Team
Monaghan were forced to withdraw from County Competition including the Tyrone match on Saturday last, due to lack of players. Paul Forde from ‘Blaney had stepped in to try and save the day after Malachy Trainor had opted out of Management some weeks ago but due to the fact that Monaghan were moved up to Junior “A” and faced very stiff opposition, suffering heavy defeats in earlier matches, this and Saturday fixtures were part of a culmination of reasons why girls were not making themselves available for County, and so it was decided to withdraw from further Competition.
Underage Blitz.
Inniskeen hosted the Underage Blitz on Saturday last where a large contingent from the Grattans were in attendance . Castleblayney will host the next round which takes place on Saturday 28th July.
Fitzpatricks Coaches League
Castleblayney 4 – 7
Clontibret 0 – 9
Clontibret suffered their first defeat in the Fitzpatrick Coaches League on Tuesday last at the hands of a fitter, livelier Castleblayney team. Within seconds of the throw-in Castleblayney showed their intent when Elaine McKernan hammered the ball to the back of the net getting her side off to a dream start. Marie Greenan got Clontibret on the score-board with 2 points from dead-ball in the following 7 minutes but just when Clontibret seemed to be getting a foothold in the game Amber Lam increased Castleblayney’s lead with a well-taken point from play. Marie Greenan edged her side on in a similar fashion 5 minutes later but the irrepressible Lam gifted Castleblayney their second goal in the 20th minute. Clontibret were dealt a further blow when Karen Boyle, the only one available from the Boyle quartet, suffered a re-occurrence of a hip injury and had to be called ashore. Both teams added a point apiece to their total leaving the half time score:
Castleblayney 2-2
Clontibret 0-4
From the resumption Clontibret looked like they might be about to take the game to Castleblayney and sharp-shooter, Greenan, registered a point from play inside the 31st minute. However Castleblayney’s Niamh Brennan responded promptly with her own fine score – a point, also from play. Determined not to be outclassed Marie Greenan fired home yet another score to keep her side in touch. As the saying goes though ‘Goals win matches’ and within 2 minutes Elaine McKernan crashed home Castleblayney’s third goal making Clontibret’s task even more difficult. Their cause was further hampered with the loss of Karen Kieran who suffered a suspected broken finger and her side was forced, from this stage on, to see out the game with 12 players. But Castleblayney were now in the driving seat and were not doing ‘sympathy’ on this occasion! Points from Niamh Brennan and Amber Lam were the lead-in to a fourth goal courtesy of Donna McKenna. Michele McMahon raised a white flag for Clontibret in the 47th minute and but this was quickly cancelled out by Emma Forde. While Marie Greenan had the final say with her 8th score of the match this did little to bridge the gap between the 2 teams and Castleblayney deservedly took the spoils. Final score:
Castleblayney 4-7
Clontibret 0-9
Castleblayney: Roisin McKenna, Anita Kennedy, Emma McKenna, Kellie Fisher, Emma Heavin, Louise O Connell, Rachel Markey, Amber Lam (1-3), Mary McElroy, Elaine McKernan (2-1), Kate Deasy, Niamh Brennan (0-2), Donna McKenna (1-0), Emma Forde (0-1) and Karen Markey.
Clontibret: Muireann Atkinson, Aisling Greenan, Karen Boyle, Karen Kieran, Shauna McElvaney, Tara McElvaney, Michelle McMahon (0-1), Eleanor McQuaid, Donna Moen, Marie Greenan (0-8), Amy Moen, Catherine Tomany, Helen Moen and Demi Moen
Clontibret news
Another busy week in the club with our underage players ensuring that Mammies and Daddies got plenty of outings, fresh air and saw a bit of the world!!
On Friday evening our U-14 players travelled to Middletown where they came away with another comfortable victory. It was very encouraging to have a panel of 18 available during the summer holidays, despite the change of date, so well done to parents and players alike. Thanks also to all those who provided transport – and to those parents who are a little bit shy about going to matches, think of how delighted and proud your daughter will be to have you there supporting and helping out with transport!! Thanks to Marie who refereed. Next match for this team is Tuesday, July 31st at home to Crossmaglen.
On Saturday morning our U-12s travelled to Inniskeen and what a hardy little bunch they again proved themselves to be!! Playing Inniskeen in both matches, they put up a terrific performance and won both! Back-boned by the ‘experienced’ Amy, Jennifer and Lisa they received great support from Chloe Markey, Emer McGlone and Kirsty Morgan-O Reilly, all the ripe old age of 9!! And the 2 little Carragher girls, Katie and Emma-Rose, clearly benefitted from their recent holiday as they were in fine fettle!! Cathal provided transport and refreshments and thanks also to Patricia, Linda and Marie for their help and transport.
At present Cullyhanna are requesting Mondays U-12 game to be played at 5pm so parents please confirm availability as soon as possible. Then on Monday July 30th the U-12s play Aghagallon {away}.
Our seniors played Castleblayney on Tuesday and shipped a heavy defeat – their first in the Fitzpatrick Coaches League. Well done to Muireann who played her first match at senior level and to Helen on her first match as an outfield player! Best wishes to Karen Kieran who at the time of writing is being treated for a suspected fracture.
On Monday evening the girls play Granemore, away, in the Armagh League. Best wishes in this match. Tuesday July 31 is the first round of the Monaghan senior championship and the prospect of meeting Castleblayney again is intriguing.
Finally congratulations to Amanda McArdle and Gary Keenan who were wed in St. Mary’s, Clontibret, on Saturday last.
By michael Wed 18th Jul
