Hard Luck
First of all, I want to say hard luck to the Monaghan senior team who got “Dubbed” out of the All Ireland Championship by Dublin last Saturday evening. While the lads gave a good account of themselves and were in a really good position after the first twenty minutes a couple of swift goals completely turned the game in Dublin’s favour and even at that early stage the result was effectively beyond doubt! I suppose, truth be told, we all knew we were going to be up against it and we half expected the outcome because the current All Ireland Champions are a serious outfit and will definitely take some beating. They have raised the bar to an unbelievable level and one wonders will any county touch them this year? In fairness, in this era of blanket defences where counties use suffocating defence tactics to frustrate their opposition, Dublin’s style of football is a real breath of fresh-air with their speed, strength, skill and athleticism which is a delight and a joy to watch and it’s up to us and other counties to evaluate our approach and play catch-up!
Croke Park Experience
One positive thing from last weekend was the performance of the underage footballers who played during the half-time interval of the Monaghan v Dublin match. It was an impressive display by all the young players and I would like to congratulate Darragh Dempsey from neighbouring club Latton O’Rahilly’s who got the opportunity to play in such a wonderful stadium and to grace the hallowed sod of Croke Park in front of seventy thousand spectators. I know his parents, grand-parents, uncles, aunts and cousins were very proud of him and speaking to him afterwards he said it was an amazing experience and one that he thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget. Well done Dazzer it was a great achievement and hopefully this will be the first of many occasions that you will wear the Monaghan colours and play in Croke Park.
Monaghan Electrical League
As I sit down to write-up my club notes, last Sunday afternoon, I felt slightly strange, but it was a nice and good kind of strange because our senior team picked up crucial points in the league campaign! It’s been such a long time since we experienced the sensation of actually winning a game that it felt somewhat bizarre but with any luck this will provide us with fresh energy and the motivation to dig ourselves out of this hole. The team lined out against Sean McDermott’s last Sunday 10th August in the Monaghan Electrical intermediate football league and while it was not the prettiest game to watch it was your typical war of attrition encounter where the tackles were hard, the challenges ferocious and no quarter was asked or given. The team showed incredible commitment to overcome an extreme challenge from Sean McDermott’s and had to dig very deep with a brave, gutsy and courageous display to claim the league spoils on a final score-line Rockcorry 0-11 Sean McDermott’s 0-8. A selection of action photographs can be viewed on our official website www.rockcorrygaa.ie or visit our Facebook page. Hopefully, this will provide the extra spark to ignite our season and with the first round of the intermediate football championship scheduled for this Sunday it should give the lads a major boost and inspire them with confidence to build on this performance.
McGuigan Builders Intermediate Championship
With Monaghan exiting the All Ireland campaign it’s all system go, go, go and our game against Clones in the McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship takes place this Sunday 17th August at Scotstown and throw-in time is 5.30pm. This promises to be a very exciting encounter so I would encourage all our club members and supporters to travel to the match and cheer on the team. All the best lads and good luck.
Good luck lads.
Golf Classic 2014
Our upcoming golf classic takes place on Saturday 23rd August so please spread the word to all your golfing buddies. This year’s event will once again be held at the prestigious Clones Golf Course and we are delighted to have Mullinahinch Private Nursing Home on board as our Main Sponsor. The cost to enter a team is €120.00 and to book your place please contact our chairman Jimmy McGeough 087-9457279 or Ollie McQuillan 087-2100800 and a member of the organising committee will be in contact with you to discuss a convenient time for you to play. There are also exciting opportunities for businesses, families and individuals to advertise by sponsoring a tee or a green for a reasonable €50. This will be another great opportunity for you to showcase your golfing talents so make sure you keep free Saturday 23rd August and we look forward to seeing you at the first Tee. If you are unable to play golf but would still like to make a contribution perhaps you would be interested in sponsoring a prize for a raffle. If so please get in touch because we would be delighted to talk to you.
Gerry’s Prepared Veg – Under 12 League
Our under 12 footballers produced yet another good performance when they played Oram last Friday 8th August in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg Division 2B league campaign. The match was played at Pairc Naomh Mhuire in glorious sunshine and Oram couldn’t have started any better because their first attack resulted in a goal and a second quickly followed to give them an early lead. It was a daunting couple of minutes but our players remained calm and with a slight adjustment they started to play some delightful football and picked off some lovely scores from Conor Clerkin 0-2, Aaron Smyth 1-2, Kevin McPhillips 0-1, Ryan Carroll 0-1, Adam Elliott 0-1 and Oisin Lynch 0-1 and after a highly entertaining and exciting first twenty minutes there was nothing separating the team as the score-board showed Rockcorry 1-8 Oram 3-2. The second half started similar to the first with Oram hitting the back of the net within the first thirty seconds to restore a three point advantage. Once again our players were unfazed and showed great character and really stood up when it was counted and responded in true fashion and notched up an impressive 1-2 (Conor Clerkin 0-1, Aaron Smyth 1-0 and James O’Brien 0-1) to move ahead by two points, leading 2-10 to 4-2.We all know that a two point margin is a very dangerous lead in Gaelic Games and during the closing stages it was Oram’s turn to apply relentless pressure as they began to dominate the game and there were some very anxious and heart-stopping moments but thankfully our defence remained focused and strong and had to be at their best to prevent Oram from scoring goals. Unfortunately, they did manage to breach our rear-guard and fired over two late points to claim a share of the spoils on a final score-line Rockcorry 2-10 Oram 4-4.
Gerry’s Prepared Veg – Under 14 League
The next game for the under 14 footballers is on Saturday 16th August when they travel to play Tyholland at 12 noon. The league semi-final has been provisionally fixed for Saturday 30th August.
Gerry’s Prepared Veg – Under 16 League
The under 16 footballers have secured a semi-final spot in the Division 4 league campaign and will play Cremartin (away) on Thursday 21st August at 7pm.
Gerry’s Prepared Veg – Under 16 Championship
Well done to our under 16 footballers who put in an outstanding performance last Thursday 7th August when they played Emerald Sarsfields in the quarter final of the Gerry’s Prepared Veg Championship competition. They were up against a very strong Emerald Sarsfields side, who incidentally won the two league encounters, but their determination, enthusiasm and attitude was fabulous on the night and they certainly gave the club a much needed boost and the supporters and their parents can be very proud of their performance. Overall, this was a very competitive game and great credit is due to all the players and management for preparing the team. They showed great passion, incredible commitment and discipline and really dogged it out, towards the end, with some gutsy and courageous defending to get over the line on a final score-line Rockcorry 5-13 Emerald Sarsfields 7-3. Please visit www.rockcorry.ie or our Facebook page for a selection of action photographs. Team & Scorers: Ryan Lynch, Mark Duffy, Dylan McCollum, Shane Farrelly (1-1), Shane Greenan, Garreth Smyth, Patrick James, Pauric O’Brien (1-11,3f) Vincent O’Brien, Caolan McPhillips (2-0), Morgan McGeough. Subs: Kyle Brannigan (1-1) for Morgan McGeough, Cian Dillon for Shane Farrelly. They have been pitted against neighbours Latton in the semi-final which will take place on Thursday 28th August and will certainly prove to be an amazing clash.
Go Games Blitz
Sadly, the Under 8 Go Games Blitz scheduled for last Saturday 9th August in Clones was cancelled due to Monaghan senior team playing in Croke Park. The under 10 footballers will return to action this Saturday 16th August when they travel to take part in a blitz during 9.30am to 11.30am.
Wedded Bliss
On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to extend our best wishes and congratulations to senior footballer Owen Fitzpatrick who got married yesterday to his fiancé Mary O’Reilly. We wish you a lifetime of the greatest joy, love and happiness together and the very best of luck to both of you.
Top 4 Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Monday 11th August were 12, 15, 18 and 25. There was no jackpot winner of €9,400.00. The following won €15 each :- Noel Calvert, Rockcorry, Eamon Clerkin, Dartrey, Pat Mullen, Newbliss, Tina, Leo, Kate & Megan, Rockcorry, Barbara McGuirk, Swans Cross, Mickey Wynne, Rockcorry, Mavis Harrison, Rockcorry, Jimmy Carroll, Rockcorry. Next week the jackpot will be €9,500.00 and the draw will take place in Thompson’s, Newbliss. Thank you for supporting our Top 4 lotto draw.
Annual Top 4 Lotto Ticket
Don’t forget, you can support the club’s Top 4 lotto by entering for 12 months, 6 month or a 3 month period. To play simply select your four numbers between 1 and 28 complete the form and you need never miss a draw again! Tickets cost €90 for the 12 month option. Your continued support is always much appreciated and we wish you good luck in future draws.
News
If anyone would like to have some news, events or anything at all included in the club notes or advertised on our website then just get in touch on 086-1041165 or email pro.rockcorry.monaghan@gaa.ie
By Majella Boyd Wed 13th Aug
