What a relief to have time again to put notes together following a number of hectic weeks when every age-group seemed to be playing simultaneously. With school/college exams underway, thankfully a little breathing space has been provided and other administrative matters can be attended to.
Having said that, our seniors are showing no signs of ‘letting up’ this week, at least! Having played Keady in the Armagh Premier League on Sunday evening, they face Middletown on Wednesday evening, at 7.30pm for the start of Round 2 of this competition. Then on Friday evening, Inniskeen provide the opposition in the Monaghan Development League. This game is also in Clontibret. On Sunday the same panel meet Ballymacnab in the Armagh Premier League. We wish the players every good wish in each encounter.
Our U-12 panel have already played in 3 of the Armagh Saturday morning Blitzes – and despite all the lovely weather we have had, they had to brave out in rain and wind! But this didn’t deter this hardy little group one bit and they have given an excellent account of themselves on each occasion. Congratulations to them, to Marie and Aisling Greenan and in particular to the parents, who have travelled and helped out in many ways, especially catering when Clontibret hosted. A great all-round team effort.
Our U-14’s recorded very good wins over St Brigid’s Armagh and Camlough. This panel’s next outing is away to Cullyhanna on Tuesday May 31 so we encourage them to keep up the training.
Our U-16 didn’t quite replicate the high standards set by the younger teams when 3 players failed to turn up for their first encounter of the season against Crossmaglen. However, Crossmaglen agreed to play a challenge match instead, and in fairness to many of our players, they gave sterling displays and played their hearts out. Nonetheless it is such bad manners that parents couldn’t notify the management in advance that their daughters were not intending to play the match, and so discourteous towards the rest of the players who do want to fulfil the fixtures. So, encouraged and buoyed by those who want to train and play, we travel to Port Mor on Friday June 3 for our next outing.
Training therefore for the various panels is as follows: Beginners/U-12’s: Tuesday 6.00 – 7.00pm. U-14/U-16’s: Thursday 6.30 – 7.30pm. Seniors Wednesday and Fridays except this week, due to fixtures.
Our County Minor panel had the huge disappointment of ending the season once again empty-handed having reached 2 finals – one at provincial level the other a National League. In fairness they played their hearts out against Tyrone in the Ulster Shield final but just didn’t have the depth of panel or strength to contain the Red Hand County. Once again a huge ‘Thank You!’ to Hannah, Éimear, Chloe, Niamh, Ríoghnach, Sorcha, Emily, Sioneen, Amy and Clíodhna who did themselves and the club proud. Thanks also to the parents who drove them to training sessions and matches and helped out with officiating and catering at home matches.
Congratulations to Hannah who was awarded the ‘County Minor Ladies Footballer of 2016’ following last Sundays Ulster minor final. Certainly, if she gave half as much to the ladies’ minor football team as
she did to the county minor camogie panel, which she captained, she richly deserved the honour. On the ‘down’ side, it is regrettable that on both occasions that Hannah led the county minor camogie team into finals, she in fact played a ladies’ minor championship match on the same day. So much for player welfare and integration!!
Congratulations, belatedly, to Marie, Emily, Ailbhe and Ned who gamely represented the club in ‘The Kube’. In fairness in took great courage (or a degree of insanity!) to put your name forward and face the crowds on the night, but all of the participants were super and really provided wonderful entertainment.
Ned is still in party mode having celebrated (still celebrating?!!) his 40th birthday on Sunday last!! And, as he says himself, ‘Not a grey hair in sight!!’. A little impromptu party took place in the dressing rooms in Keady on Sunday evening after the senior match but despite the element of ‘surprise’ Ned, as usual, wasn’t lost for a few wise quips!!! Congratulations from all in Clontibret Camogie Club!
And speaking of significant milestones, Niamh Kieran celebrated her 18th birthday last week, in her usual inimitable style! Her many camogie friends wish her every happiness and success in the future.
Saturday last was a very special occasion for Ellanna, Aoife, Ria, Ellyn, Caoilinn and Emma who received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Congratulations to you all.
Congratulations to Teresa and Patrick Kelly on the birth of their precious son, Baby Maurice, on Saturday morning. Of course we had been secretly hoping it might have been a little camóg of the calibre of ‘Big Sister’ Siobhán, but in fairness, given Teresa’s commitment to the development of hurling in Clontibret, it was only reasonable that she should give birth to a little hurler!
Best wishes to Clíodhna who is recovering from a hand injury and good to have Chloe rejoin the senior ranks after her long lay-off through injury.
By Majella Boyd Fri 20th May
