Senior Team –It has been a tough week for our senior team, with two defeats on the spin. Last Wednesday night we travelled to Magheracloone and on a lovely sunny evening, we started the game brightly and opened up a two point gap at half time, with some lovely points from Dermot Malone, David McMahon and Ciaran Hanratty. The second half saw Magheracloone firstly draw level and then get their nose in front on the stoke of full time. Final Score Magheracloone 0-14 Faughs 0-13. On Sunday morning we travelled to Ballybay in round fifteen of the league, and again we started brightly but a goal and four point blitz by the Pearse Brothers in a five minute spell just before half time left the Faughs trailing by six points at the break. The second half saw Ballybay continue to find the range in front of goal and despite two Ronan McNamara goals, the Pearse Brothers ran out convincing winners on a score line of Ballybay 1-23 Faughs 2-10. We now need to get ready for the first round of the Monaghan Senior Championship this Sunday, when we travel to Truagh to play Monaghan Harps. Throw in time is 1.30pm, can we ask that as many supporters as possible travel to support the team.
Summer Camp – Last week saw the annual Juvenile invasion of St. Mary’s Park for the McMahon Centra Summer Camp. We had over 185 children ranging from 5 to 12 years of age. The camp, which is always a huge hit with the children, was no different this year, with lots of activities to keep the kids going right throughout the day. On Saturday the group travelled to the Cinema for the morning before they returned to St Mary’s Park for the Camp Bar-B-Que and award ceremony. Well done to all involved for a brilliant week a big thank you to McMahons Centra for yet again committing to be the sponsor.
Operation TransFAUGHSmation – Woohoo!!!!. We’re back. People of mid Monaghan be warned, Operation TransFAUGHSmation is coming again with a programme of fun filled and specially tailored events designed to get you to a fitter and happier place. This award winning programme which is a proven hit with participants, will kick off with the registration night on Tuesday 25th of August in Our Lady’s Secondary School Concert Hall from 6.30pm to 8pm, which will be followed by a new format of Information night on the 8th of September 2015. The Regsitration fee is only €65 this year and represents great value for this twelve week programme.
Boys Under 12 – Last Friday evening saw the Under 12 development team travel to Drumhowan to play Monaghan Harps in the final of the development league. The team, which is made up of eleven year olds, started brightly opening up a three point gap with points from Conor Ruddy and Thomas Hughes, before Monaghan Harps found the net to put them in front. The Harps goal seemed to spur on the young Faughs lads who responded with a Kevin Flanagan goal, which was followed by another goal before half time to leave the score at the break Faughs 2-6 Harps 1-1. The team talk at half time focused on working hard, moving the ball quickly and finishing the chances, the boys carried out the management instructions to the letter of the law, as they moved the ball quickly from defence to attack, kicking some great scores along the way. The defence was very well marshalled by Goal Keeper Brandon McCague, full backs Joe Carey and Ross Maguire who never give the Harps inside forward line any space, while the half backs of Martin Joyce, Caolin McMahon and Ultan McMahon used the ball superbly throughout the hour. A strong centre field pairing of Captain Thomas Hughes and Niall Rice insured that the Faughs won plenty of ball in the middle third. Upfront the main ball winner was Ben Mallon who set up a number of chances for the very quick and accurate forward line of Kevin Flanagan and Conor Ruddy. The introduction of Joshua Conlon, Daniel Mc Shane, Ryan Mullen and Jason Campbell added further fresh legs to a fast moving forward unit and the boys never stopped until the final whistle was sounded. A big well done to all the Players from both panels (Senior Under 12 and Development Under 12’s) who have put in a great effort all year and also to the coaches who have worked hard insuring that the boys were well prepared for every game during the year. Thanks you also to the large Faughs support who travelled out to the game, I have no doubt but you enjoyed a great Faughs win, played like a great Faughs team.
Girls Under 12 – The Girls had their game with O’Neill Shamrocks rescheduled so the next game for the girls will be at home versus Truagh on Friday 21st of August at 7pm.
Boys Under 14 – The Under 14 Senior team travelled to Latton last Thursday night in the league knowing that only a win would be good enough to keep them in the hunt for a semi-final place in the league. With this in mind they put in a very determined performance and collected the two valuable points. They now go into the last league game this Saturday against Scotstown, requiring the two points to make sure that they qualify for the Semi Finals. Throw in time will be 1.15pm in
St. Mary’s Park. The Development team also travelled to Monaghan last Thursday night to play the Harps and while they were defeated they played some great football running up a score of 1-14. The last league game for the boys will be against Clontibret in St. Mary’s Park on Saturday at 12pm.
Boys Under 16 – The Under 16 team play their Championship Final this Thursday the 20th of August in Drumhowan at 7.30pm versus Corduff. The best of luck to the team and management, they have worked hard all year and hopefully they can now deliver a performance on the night. Can we ask that all our patrons, members, players, coaches and committee members remember on the night that the players are still children, the coaches are volunteers, and the referees are only young people so like last Friday night, can we ask that any verbal contributions you make are positive and supportive.
Girls Under 16 – Our U16 Girls play St. Bridget’s on Thursday the 20th August 2015 in the semi final at 7p.m. in St. Mary’s Park. This is a fantastic achievement for the girls in their first year as an established U16 team. We wish all the Girls and their management the best of luck and hope that they make it through to the final.
Minor Girls –The Minor Girls are next out on Monday the 17th August 2015 at 7p.m. it is an away match against Killanny and all support would be greatly appreciated.
Well Done – This week’s well done goes to our Under 12 Development team who won their league on Friday evening, it was great to see these young lads move the ball like Faughs teams of old, also well done again to Joshua Walsh from the Under Sixteen team who captained the Monaghan County Under 16 team to retain the Buncrana Cup on Saturday. Let’s hope he is lifting another cup this Thursday night as we seek to win the Monaghan Under Sixteen Championship.
Respect Initiative –Just a reminder to all that we are asking that all club members engage in the respect initiative, we need to remember that when we are all involved in the competitiveness of the games that we also remember that the players are children, the coaches are volunteers and the referees are only young people, the future of our club depends on all of us developing the youth so we ask that any verbal contributions that you make are positive and supportive.
By Majella Boyd Fri 21st Aug
