Fixtures: Tuesday, May 7: MFL Division One v Magheracloone (Home) at 7.30pm

Thursday, May 9: Development HL v Inniskeen (Home) at 7.45pm; Under-16 FL Division One v Clontibret (Home) at 7.30pm

Friday, May 10: MFL Division One v Truagh (Home) at 7.45pm

Saturday, May 11: Under-12 Spring League Finals v Aghabog in Cloghan at 12pm & Inniskeen in Cloghan at 1pm

Sunday, May 12: SFL v Latton (Home) at 2pm; MHL Truagh Harps v Cootehill (Away) at 12pm

Monday, May 13: Under-14 HL v Cootehill (Home) at 7.30pm

 

U-14: Pride of place this week goes to our Under-14s, who completed a historic hurling and football championship double when they eased to victory over Killanny in the FC Division One Final at Blackhill last Saturday.

In a real team performance, Dylan McAree did all that was asked of him, as did the full-back line of Seán McKenna, Anthony Greenan and Ultan O’Rourke. Aidan Burns held his own in a great duel with Killanny’s star player Edward Walsh, while either side of him, Niall Ward and Ultan O’Rourke continually broke up play and started attacks. Ben Kearns-Flynn and the tigerish Jamie Shields were on top at midfield, with the help of Ethan Murphy, who covered a huge amount of ground and scored two goals. Another goal-scorer Conor McCrystal and Thomas Croarkin were always available on the wings, while Michael Mulligan accounted for the other two goals in a fine performance and James Bourke and Nathan O’Donoghue also showed well in attack.

Killanny got the first point, but that proved to be the only time our lads were behind, as James Bourke equalised and Ethan Murphy scored the opening goal in the seventh minute after a great run in from the left wing. James then tapped over a free and although Killanny responded, a soccer-style finish gave Ethan his second goal. Ethan then set up Michael Mulligan to open his account, before Conor McCrystal fired to the net at the end of lightning-quick burst from the right wing. Michael converted a free to make the half-time score 3-4 to 0-3 in favour of the Harps.

James got the second half off to a good start with a fine point and Michael quickly tapped over a free, before scoring his first goal at the end of a well-worked move. Michael added a brace of frees, either side of finding the net for the second time, although Killanny hit back with 1-1 in the space of a minute. A well-taken free by Nathan, a point from play by Conor and another free from Michael rounded off the scoring in what was a comfortable win for our lads, while substitute Colin Peppard went within inches of adding a late goal when he crashed a shot off the crossbar. Joint-captains Aidan Burns and Ethan Murphy accepted the Mason Cup afterwards from county Coaching Officer Garrett Coyle.

Thanks to everyone who returned to Gavan Duffy Park after the game to help with the celebrations. Congratulations to all the players and their management of Michael O’Donoghue, Thomas McCabe and Ciarán Mulligan and physio Brian Peppard. A busy time awaits this summer, with many of the players and two-thirds of the management (not to mention the parents) facing two weekends away in a row. Féile Peil na nÓg takes place in Derry from June 28-30.

 

 

 

Team and scorers: Dylan McAree; Seán McKenna, Anthony Greenan, Soky John; Niall Ward, Aidan Burns (Joint Capt.), Ultan O’Rourke; Jamie Shields, Ben Kearns-Flynn; Conor McCrystal (1-1), Ethan Murphy (Joint Capt., 2-0), Thomas Croarkin; Nathan O’Donoghue (0-1f), James Bourke (0-3, 1f), Michael Mulligan (2-6, 0-5f).

Subs: Zach Mallen for McKenna, Colin Peppard for Bourke (both 46).

Rest of panel: Oisín Power, Ryan McKenna, Adam O’Neill, Aaron Coyle, Shane McCabe, Seán Conway, Killian McAdam, Dillon Maguire.

The Under-14 Division Five team also had a good win on Saturday, when they put up a big score away to Truagh in their league game.

 

Monaghan Harps Lotto: Numbers 19, 22, 26 and 27. Jackpot of €4,750 not won. Residual prizes: €100 Craig Hughes c/o Senior Footballers; €40 Dermot Coyle c/o Owen Connell; €40 Sophie Callan c/o Ann Treanor; €40 Peter Oliver Loughran c/o Paddy Donnelly. Jackpot for Sunday, May 12 is €4,900 and Owen and Gráinne Connell are on duty. All welcome. Anyone who has sold a direct-debit is asked to pass the details on to the Lotto committee as soon as possible, so they can be entered into our weekly draw straight away. The Monaghan Harps Lotto plays an integral role in the running of the club. If you want to volunteer to get involved in any way (e.g. selling tickets), please contact any committee member.

 

Meetings: The club’s monthly senior meeting takes place this Thursday in the clubhouse at 8pm. The juvenile meeting takes place tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8pm, with a lotto committee meeting at 8.30.

 

Seniors: The senior footballers moved up to second place in the SFL with two good wins in a row, starting away to Ballybay last Wednesday evening. Ballybay hit the opening two points, but Conor Galligan got our lads off the mark and points from Nicholas Treanor and Liam Hahessy edged us ahead. Three points from Donal Hahessy and one each from Nicholas, Shane Coyle and Paul Rushe gave us a 0-9 to 0-6 lead at half-time. Ballybay were again first off the mark in the second half, but Nicholas converted another free and although our finishing began to become wasteful, Donal landed two points from frees from the right wing, before Liam netted the only goal and Shane Smyth kicked a late point to make the final score 1-13 to 0-10.

Team and scorers: Mark Hughes; Aodhán Óg McAnespie, David Hughes, Darren McMahon; Niall Hahessy, Conor Galligan (0-1), Shane Coyle (0-1); Neil McAdam, Gary White (Capt.); Nicholas Scott, Nicholas Treanor (0-3, 2f), Paul Rushe (0-1); Donal Hahessy (0-5, 4f), Paddy Connolly, Liam Hahessy (1-1).

Subs: Stephen Driver for N Hahessy (inj., 27 mins), Shane Smyth (0-1) for Rushe (36), Dean Fanning for Connolly (50), Conor McCaughey for Treanor (57).

Another two points were won with a hard-earned 1-12 to 1-10 result at home to Clontibret on Monday. A brace of points from Dean Fanning kept us on level terms in a cagy start and although Clontibret took the lead for the third time, Nicholas Treanor replied from a free. A Paddy Connolly goal gave our lads a lead which they held through to the final whistle, with Neil McAdam adding two points, either side of a Niall Hahessy score. Clontibret got a goal back, but points from Paddy and Nicholas Scott gave the Harps a 1-8 to 1-4 lead at half-time. Clontibret got the first two points of the second half, but Dean and Nicholas Treanor kept our lads in front, while Shane Smyth was also on target with his first touch. Clontibret closed to within a point, but another point from Dean secured victory. Our next SFL game is away to Latton on Sunday at 2pm.

Team and scorers: Mark Hughes; Niall Hahessy (0-1), Aodhán Óg McAnespie, Darren McMahon; Conor Galligan, Shane Coyle, Neil McAdam (0-2, 1f); Peter Coyle, Gary White (Capt.); Nicholas Scott (0-1), Nicholas Treanor (0-2, 1f), Paul Rushe; Donal Hahessy, Paddy Connolly (1-1), Dean Fanning (0-4).

Subs: Stephen Driver for McMahon (34 mins), Shane Smyth (0-1) for P Coyle (48), Liam Hahessy for Rushe (54), Emmett McArdle for Treanor (59).

 

Dance: We will be staging a fundraising dance night with music from The Outlaws at the Hillgrove Hotel on Friday, May 24. Tickets, costing €10, are available now from Seán Boyle and other club members as well as local outlets. All support would be very much appreciated.

 

Reserves: The O’Duffy Cup team advanced through the first round of the championship with a 0-17 to 1-5 win at home to Magheracloone last Friday evening. Dean Fanning kicked five first-half points, while Michael Galligan and Paddy Connolly also chipped in to make it 0-7 to 0-1 in our favour at half-time. A free by Dean, points from play by Shane Coyle, Paddy and a quick brace by Michael increased our lead and although Magheracloone got a goal back, Dean took over in the final quarter to help book our place in a quarter-final against Latton.

Team and scorers: Conall McKenna; Paul Rushe, Shane Coyle (0-1), Darren McMahon; Robbie Moyna, Emmett McArdle (Capt.), Dean McMahon; Stephen Driver, Paddy Connolly (0-2); Michael Galligan (0-3, 1f), Conor McCaughey, Pat Murphy; David Loughran, Gerard Gilsenan, Dean Fanning (0-11, 2f).

Subs: Ashley White for Gilsenan (44 mins), Niall Greenan for Galligan (46), Gary Trappe for Murphy (52), Finnian McKenna for Loughran (55), Craig Connolly for Fanning (57).

 

Minors: Our minor footballers returned to winning ways in a competitive game away to Truagh last Tuesday evening. A goal by Ciarán McQuaid and a Fearghal McMahon free were enough to lead after a low-scoring first quarter, but we were then knocked back by Truagh scoring 2-2 without reply. Another free from Fearghal and a goal by Evan Morahan kept our lads within two at half-time (2-4 to 2-2). Fearghal converted a free at the start of the second half and he went on to set up Jason McHugh to find the net, just minutes after Truagh had scored their own third goal. Good points by James Keelaghan and Kevin Loughran kept our lads in touch, before Jason had a shot at goal tipped over the bar by the Truagh keeper. A point from a free by Truagh looked set to be the only score of the final quarter, until Fearghal cut through and laid it off for Jason to fire home and give our lads a dramatic 4-6 to 3-7 win. The lads have two home games this week – against Magheracloone on Tuesday – and Truagh on Friday in a rescheduled game.

Team and scorers (v Truagh): Darragh Hannon; Dónal McCarthy, Niall Treanor, Ahmed Gamal; Turlough Clerkin, Mustafa Gamal, Tiarnán Bramley; James McKenna, Kevin Loughran (0-1); Ciarán McQuaid (1-0), Evan Morahan (1-0), Thomas Bourke; Jason McHugh (2-1), Fearghal McMahon (0-3f), James Keelaghan (0-1).

Subs: Kevin Lyden for Bourke, Conor Burns for McQuaid.

 

U-16: The Under-16 footballers lost away to a strong Scotstown team last Thursday. Our lads competed well in the opening exchanges, with Remy McKenna opening the scoring, but Scotstown hit two goals in the space of a minute midway through the half to take charge. A third Scotstown goal killed the game off after the restart, although our lads kept going and were rewarded by points from Jack Deery and Remy, who also tapped into the net after Paul Peppard had hit the crossbar. Next up is a home game against Carrickmacross this Thursday at 7.30pm.

Team and scorers: Darragh Hannon; Niall McManus, Evan Cudden, Adam Treanor; Shane McKenna, David Lowry, Cathal Power; Paul Peppard, Kevin Lyden; Conor Flynn, Jack Deery (0-2f), Kyle O’Leary; James Owens, Remy McKenna (1-3, 0-1f), Conor Duffy.

Subs used: Dylan McKenna, Ruairí Forde, Reece Treanor, Nathan Mulligan.

 

U-12: Both of our Under-12 football teams are in action in spring league finals in Cloghan this Saturday. The Zone B team take on Aghabog at 12 noon, while the Zone A team face Inniskeen at 1pm. Best of luck lads. All support welcome.

 

Hurling: Monaghan Harps got back into winning ways last Thursday with a convincing win over Clontibret in the Development League at Rooskey. After a disappointing defeat last week, the Harps were keen to make a point and return to the form that saw them win three in a row last month. Despite dominating the opening half, it was four minutes before Alan Ryan got the team on the scoreboard with a long-range free. This was soon followed up by a Maurice McKenna goal that provided a grip on the game that would never be relinquished. Ross Corbett and Dónal Hahessy finished off a scoring burst to give the Harps a 1-8 lead, before Clontibret got themselves on the scoreboard with a pointed free. This was answered by an extremely well worked point from the Harps, finished by Brendan McQuaid, to close out the half at 1-9 to 0-1.

A half-time substitution saw changes to the Harps team with Alan Lee replacing Robbie Healy and slotting in at wing-half back, and Jack Lee switching to centre-back. The Harps were the slower of the two teams to settle into the second half and it was Clontibret who eventually opened the scoring, but another well worked Dónal Hahessy point and a Maurice McKenna ’65 increased the gap. Alan Ryan and Brendan McQuaid added points before the Harps management began to ring the changes with Shane Smyth, Liam Hahessy and Shane Feeney entering the field of play. The Harps were held to only one point over the remaining twenty minutes, whilst Clontibret converted another two frees before hitting their only score from play. Even so, the Harps were never particularly troubled and ran out winners by 1-11 to 0-5.

Team and scorers: Éanna Finlay; Micheál Ó Mórdha, Gavin Baxter, Aidan Connell; Kieran O’Mahony, Robbie Healy, Jack Lee; Aodhán Óg McAnespie, Alan Ryan (0-3f); Ross Corbett (0-1), Donal Hahessy (0-3), Brendan McQuaid (0-2); Conor Curley, Gerard Gilsenan, Maurice McKenna (1-5, 0-1 ‘65).

Subs: Frank Burke for Curley, Alan Lee for Healy, Shane Feeney for Gilsenan Shane Smyth for Hahessy, Liam Hahessy for McKenna.

Next fixture is in the Development League at home to Inniskeen this Thursday.

The Minor Football League game that was due to be played last Sunday was disappointingly cancelled as Carrick were unable to field. Truagh Harps will however be able to get back in the swing of things with an away game against Cootehill on Sunday at 12pm.

Congratulations & well done to the Monaghan Harps U-14 footballers & management who followed up the success of the U-14 hurlers in equally convincing fashion, with a win over Killanny in their championship final last Saturday evening. Double Féile representation. What a great week for the club.

With the weather ever improving at this time of year, all underage Hurlers are encouraged to get down to Rooskey on Sundays at 12pm, where there are a number of coaches involved in ensuring plenty hurling for all age groups every week.

 

Jerseys: A number of the senior hurlers’ jerseys are missing. Could everyone please check kitbags etc. to make sure they don’t have any of these jerseys.

 

Saturday morning coaching: Our coaching for Under-10s is up and running and will continue every Saturday morning from 10.30-11.30. Anyone who wants to help out in any way is also more than welcome to get involved. Parents are asked to pay their children’s registration fees as soon as possible.

 

Harps watches: We are now selling wrist-watches with the Harps crest for €10. Contact Liadhan Treanor at 086 7837204 for more details.

 

The Gathering: We are organising some events for current and former Harps players and members to coincide with the ‘Gathering’ initiative. Anyone willing to get involved can contact any committee member.