Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh: The Monaghan Harps club are devastated by the news that reached us last weekend of the untimely death of Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh in a tragic accident. Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh came up through the juvenile ranks from six years old and we all have great memories which today are heart-breaking memories.
Ógie (as he was affectionately known) lined out in the Harps jersey from U-10 to senior level within the club and he was an integral part of our Intermediate Football Championship-winning team last September, winning an IFC All-Star award. He played 32 consecutive games for our senior team since taking the leap from minor level, having fitted in seamlessly to the adult group. Just last month, he made his SFL debut with a superb performance against Latton. At county level, he captained Monaghan U-17s to win the 2018 Ulster Minor Championship and last Friday night's U-20 semi-final win against Donegal, which had club members watching in Enniskillen and at home with pride and looking forward to watching Ógie progress as a footballer and as a person.
Ógie was a huge part of our club family and we are all at a loss. All we can do is support Ógie's parents Brendan and Esther, his sisters Claire and Áine, his many teammates and to all those who looked up to him within the club.
He was a true leader and we are glad and proud to have been part of his life. He was highly respected by club officials, teammates and management throughout the years and we will dearly miss his smile and that sparkle in his eyes. Ní bheidh a leithéid aris ann.
Monaghan Harps GAA Club have received numerous messages and emails from sports clubs within the county and throughout the country and we have had many visitors to Gavan Duffy Park to sign books of condolence. We are very grateful for this in what has been a difficult time for us all and we hope the outpouring of support can provide some small solace to the Ó Dufaigh family.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), the club as a whole will be forming a guard of honour to say goodbye to Ógie. We will line both sides of the road from Dublin street to the entrance of Monaghan Bottlers. Please meet in Old Cross Square at 10am (parking will be available down at the complex)
Please wear club colours and let Nicola or Jimmy know if you are going to attend the guard of honour so we have an idea of numbers. Thank you to all our club members for what has been done for Ógie's family and teammates since Saturday morning.
We will remember and honour him with pride and love tomorrow.
Please remember Covid regulations, so can we suggest that you have your mask on hand. Our juveniles will all be looked after and guided by their management teams.
Fixtures: Thursday, July 22: U-15 FL Division One v Clontibret (Away) at 7.30pm
Sunday, July 25: U-15 FL Division 5A v Donaghmoyne (Home) at 11.30am; RFL Division 1B S-F v Ballybay (Home) at 1pm
Monday, July 26: U-15 FL Division One v Emyvale (Home) at 8pm
Tuesday, July 27: SFL v Clontibret (Home) at 8pm
Hurling:
Seniors: We fell short in the semi-final of the Mick Hannon Development Hurling League last Thursday. A slow start saw us fall behind by ten points at half-time: a lead that we were unable to claw back. Final score of 1-16 to 0-6.
The Junior Hurling Championship is next on the agenda for the senior team. This is scheduled to begin in the second week of August.
