Clontibret Camogie News.
Well after the excitement of last week, both on and off the playing fields, it’s back to ‘bread and butter’ this week – for most!! At the time of going to print our U-16’s had had 2 wins inside as many days. The seniors almost emulated this feat with a win over St. Brigid’s on Wednesday evening and a draw against Castleblayney on Friday evening. Well done to everyone who travelled long distances and re-scheduled work arrangements to ensure we had full squads for these matches.
On Sunday last, 13 of our senior team donned the county jersey for the opening match of the Ulster Junior Championship against Cavan, in Cavan. This was a somewhat bruising encounter not helped by the 3G pitch which was ‘a different ball game’ altogether to camogie on a normal, grass pitch. Many found their boots unsuited to the synthetic surface and the bounce of the ball difficult to get to grips with. Somehow or other this venue lacked the credibility that a championship match in Kingspan Breffinin Park normally offers. But that’s just a personal opinion!!!
Our U-14s are in full flight this week having played Madden this evening, Tuesday, and put up a very good show. Many thanks to Marie and all those who helped out in various ways. This will be a difficult year for this little team in the upper echelons of Armagh camogie, but hopefully they will learn from each match. The team is in action again on Thursday evening (May 2nd) in Philipstown where they play St. Kevins. Bus departs the Community Centre at 5.45. Again parental support would be much appreciated.
A large cohort of our players have been travelling to Castleblayney this past few Saturday mornings to train under the guidance of Paul Monahan and Marie for the county U-16 team. The girls are really enjoying and benefitting from the sessions. However there are still one or two more faces that we would like to see, so make a resolution to be there this Saturday at 11.00am.
Due to a hectic weekend for both Clontibret and Truagh it was not possible to re-schedule the Monaghan League fixture. This will be referred back to the Board. However the seniors are in action on Wednesday evening (May 8th) away to Culloville at 7.15.
Prior to that though, on Tuesday evening, the U-16’s host Mullaghabawn in the U-16 League. On Thursday evening (May 9th) the U-14 team will play Castleblayney, also at home.
Looking at this raft of fixtures it would be very remiss of me not to acknowledge and thank Robert Kidney for the manner in which he has pitches and dressing rooms prepared and lined out in advance of every home match. Many thanks, Robert!
Congratulations to our underage stars – the amazing Sinead Mohan, U-16 captain, and Niamh Kieran. Sinéad will once again box in the National Stadium, this Friday evening, in the real All-Ireland, following her success last weekend in the All-Ireland Ladies Boxing Championship 53kg. You carry the good wishes of the club Sinéad.
Niamh, following her dream, has been awarded a scholarship to Stagewise, an acting school, which will take place at the end of June in Dublin.
Also well done to Hannah McSkeane and Muireann Atkinson on the pivotal role they have been playing on the County Ladies U-16 and Minor football teams respectively.
And the final ‘congratulations’ goes to Sarah Fitzpatrick who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday in Keady.
By fmctiernan Tue 7th May
