Castleblayney Faughs Club Notes, 15th November 2016
Senior Men: Unfortunately it wasn’t to be our day last Sunday when we went down to Ballybay in the Credit Union Senior League Final on a score line of Ballybay 3-11 Faughs 1-10. We started the game brightly with two points from Dermot Malone before Hughie Malone scored the first goal of the game for the Pearse Brothers, Ballybay kicked on with five further points but two points just before half time left the Faughs trailing by four at half time of a score line of Ballybay 1-5 Faughs 0-4. We needed a good start to the second half but unfortunately it was Ballybay who got the goal to put them seven in front, the Faughs responded well with Ciaran Hanratty firstly getting a point, followed quickly by a goal and then a Dermot Malone point put only two in it. The momentum was starting to swing the Faughs way, with the men in green and gold sensing a victory but then against the run of play Ballybay struck for a third goal, yet again the boys in the famous green and gold responded well and with three minutes to go had the deficit back to three points but in fairness to the Pearse Brothers they used all their experience to close out the game adding a couple of points at the end to run out winners on a score line of Ballybay 3-11 Faughs 1-10. While we are all bitterly disappointed not to win we know that silverware isn’t that far away, the improvement over the latter part of the league this year has given every Faughs player, coach and supporter hopes that we can win something in 2017. Well done to all the Players, Coaches and Manager Declan on a brave and tough performance on Sunday, congratulations to Ballybay who were worthy winners on the day which saw them capture the Senior League title for the first time in thirty years.
Operation TransFAUGHSmation: Last Sunday morning saw a big crowd take to the roads as Tom and Jazza prepared the participants in OPTFM for the 5K with a run out the race route. Can we ask each participant to take somebody along on the day of the run to take part; we would like to get as many people to take part as possible.
McMahons Supervalu 5K: With only a week and half to go to the McMahons Supervalu Castleblayney 5K the town has become a wash with high Vis running jackets at night time with lots of people out practicing on the route. We would encourage the whole community to get involved, you don’t need to run to participate we are looking for people to walk and support as much as we are looking for runners. The event which has now become part of the calendar of the Castleblayney area has developed each year, with an increased number of people competing in the event This year’s event will change slightly, there will be a 2K race for all children Under 14 starting at 1pm while the main race will follow at 2pm .We are asking that every Club member participates on the day, registration is available online at www.castleblayneyfaughs.com or www.runireland.com.
50/50 – The winner of the 50/50 this week was Mark O’Connor who was drawn from the Cairde tickets, Mark who won himself €150. Tickets will be available in the Shopping Centre on Saturday morning.
Faughs Juvenile Winter Programme: The Faughs Juvenile winter programme continues each week, to date we have had great numbers at all levels with fun and skill development been very much part of the programme, if you know of any young child in your area who wants to start can you get Mammy/Daddy to take them along to the relevant training session. Everybody is more than welcome to attend; we are only delighted to see new faces. Under 6’s in Rath Na Og from 6-6.50pm, Under 8’s from 6-7pm and Under 10’s from 7-8pm, both on Our Lady’s Secondary School Astro Turf or contact Brian Sherry (086- 2334287) or Melissa Conlon (087 7617216).
Juvenile Presentation: The Club will be running their Juvenile Presentation on Friday the 18th of November in the Glencarn Hotel starting at 7.30pm; we will be distributing all the Winners medals for 2015 and 2016 up to Under 16 level. Can we ask that all players and parents attend for what always a special is evening in the Club Calendar.
Club AGM: This year’s AGM will take place on November 25th, 8pm in the Castleblayney Enterprise Centre, when we will also launch our Development Plan for the next three years. Given we are including the launch of our Development Plan, our AGM will take a slightly different format to previous years. Reports on the night will come from our Club Chairman, Stephen Dignam and Club Treasurer, Sean McDonald. Reports from our Youth Officer, Brian Sherry and the Secretary’s report will be available to you in advance of the meeting, and you can raise any questions/issues on the night. We wish to concentrate more on the Development Plan, and on the night a presentation will be made showing how we all see the Club develop in the next three years. Notice and nomination forms have been emailed to Club members, anyone who has not received can contact Melissa on 087 7617216 or secretary.castleblayney.monaghan@gaa.ie and I will forward on immediately.
Club Development Plan: The Club Development plan is now at final draft phase with Martin and Joe Hanratty working long hours to insure that the booklet is ready for the AGM , if you feel that you have something to add or have a couple of free hours each month then please contact Stephen Dignam 087 2246579 or Melissa Conlon 087 7617216, we would be delighted to see new faces and would really appreciate new help on any committee.
Ulster Coaching Conference: Last Saturday saw club coaches attend the O’Neill’s Ulster GAA Coaching & Games Development Conference which took place on Saturday 12th November 2016 in the Kilmore Hotel, Cavan. The theme was “Club” and “Player Pathway”. Highlight of the afternoon was a very interesting interview between Tony Scullion Ulster GAA and Derry Legend with Ciaran Kilkenny and Dean Rock from Dublin as well as Crossmaglen Oisin McConville, all three are free kick experts with the lowest conversion rate been 92% and all three concluded that practice in the field on your own is the only way of developing your free taking skills. So lads and lassies make sure you get to the field to practice those frees.
Monaghan Coaching Workshops : The first of this season’s session focuses on : TACKLING and will take place in Cloghan on Wednesday 16th of November from 7.30pm.The course is an interactive indoor coaching workshop. It is open to all coaches and will use drills, games and video clips to coach the skill of tackling. At the end of the Session Coaches will have a selection of Drills and Games to improve individual and team tackling. For more information contact gary.mallon.ulster@gaa.ie, this is a free course and we encourage every coach to attend.
Well Done: This week’s well done goes to our own Senior Team and Management, we were knocked out of the Senior Football Championship early in the season and we could have easily just lost interest and gone through the motion but instead the lads refocused and put all their efforts into winning the league, we know we came up short but lads keep at it silverware isn’t far away. Well done to our good neighbours Blackhill and Donaghmoyne on winning their Ulster Semi Finals last weekend let’s hope they both can go one step further and win their respective Ulster Finals.
By Majella Boyd Fri 18th Nov
