In a very tense affair we just about managed to overcome a determined Clones side in Round 2 of the McElvaney Waste and Recycling IFC on Sunday past.  With a few changes to the starting 15 we did get of to a good start and went 2 points to no score up   Clones pegged us back and actually went 0-05 to 0-03 up.  While we were in for a great chance of a point with the ball coming of the post and a misdirected kick, Clones took full advantage and came straight back down the field to raise the green flag.  This left the halftime score at Blayney 0-05, Clones 1-07.

The restart was a close enough affair with scoring point for point between both teams, but even with a black card we stuck in there and kept plugging away. It was the introduction of our substitutes did seemed to make the difference and maybe injected not only fresh legs but a bit of confidence into the rest of the team.  We began to take control of the game and points seemed to  come that little bit easier, we even raised the green flag in the 46th minute to bring the game back to a point. It wasn’t till the 60th minute we went a point up, quickly followed by another point to put 2 between us.  Clones fought back hard to bring it back to a point, but as seen in the recent Carrick game, the never say die attitude is still there and we dug in for a very hard fought 2 points on the board.  Next up is another tough encounter away to Cremartin, our opponents in the League Final.  On our last journey out to there we lost by a few points so all the best to the lads this coming Saturday, throw-in 3.30.

Best wishes to all our girls and boys teams as they start ( some already, started) into their championship campaigns.  With some club silverware already already on the table let’s hope we can take some more home.

Well done to our minor boys who overcome a talented Truagh side at home on Monday night in the League S/F.  It was only a short few weeks ago Truagh travelled to us in the league and beat us.  The tables were turned tonight but not without a few nervous moments.  Truagh managed to get 3 goals in the first half to leave the half time score  3-3 to 0-07 to Truagh.

U15s

This week the Div1 team open their campaign with a home game to Clontibret at 7pm on Thursday evening. Good luck to the boys and all support welcome.

U13 boys have reached the semi final of Div 1 championship after and tense affair in Truagh on Saturday morning. Played in wet and blustery conditions, the lads battle back from 6 points down at half time to draw the game. Well done lads. Date and time of semi final TBC.

OPTFM 2023 kicks off with our registration night on the 28th of August in the Press Room at the Faughs Pitch. Classes will start on Monday the 11th at 6.30 at Castleblayney College. Each week we will have classes on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening and these have been provisionally set for 6.30 pm.

As usual there will be great mix of exercise, sweating, banter and lots of craic. Further details are available on our OPTFM pages on Facebook and Instagram, or by contacting Tom at 0876290906 or Louisa at 0877981035.

Maurice Hanratty Male and Female singles golf Competition takes place in concra wood this Friday, if you wish to play, concra wood members pay €25 non members €45, there are 1st 2nd 3rd prize, a ladies prize and best overall score. If you can make it on the day, feel free to sponsor a TeeBox or Green @€100.

Attention all coaches, mentors, and players. Whatever field the robotic mower is parked on during the day, this means this field is being cut that night. Can u all please make sure the field is clear of juvenile nets, flags, bottles, and any loose rubbish. On the main field and new field, the goal nets need to be  raised and tied up (string provided). Everyone’s help is greatly appreciated with this.

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Fergal 5, 18, 26 & It has been brought to the attention of the committee that there has been a number of acts of vandalism in the toilets and in the stand at St Mary’s Park, the committee would ask all patrons to respect the facilities and to make sure they are left as they are found.

We had 2 teams in the Dromintee U12.5 blitz last weekend. Great event and the girls got to play against teams from Dublin, Belfast, Donegal, Fermanagh, Down and Armagh.

Lotto Results:

Winning numbers 5, 18 , 26 & 29.  No winner of this weeks massive €7800.

4x€25 winners:

Brian Treanor, Mullaghmatt, Monaghan

Francis McElroy, Annahale, Castleblayney,

Carmel Doherty, Monaghan,

Fergal Rafter, Old Coach Manor, Castleblayney