Monaghan Harps Lotto: The numbers for last Sunday's draw were 6, 9, 27, 30. Jackpot of €3,100 not won. This week's four €40 lucky-dip prize winners were: Ursula Tracey c/o Paudge Connolly; Séamus Trappe c/o ClubZap; Gareth Treanor c/o Ann Treanor; and Neill McGinn c/o himself. The sellers' prize of €20 was won by Séamus Treanor. Jackpot for Sunday, March 2 is €3,200.
Thanks to everyone for continuing to support our Lotto and to the committee and the regular helpers for their efforts in keeping the show on the road and providing essential funding towards our development work over the last three decades. Please note that the cut-off point for ClubZap each week is 6pm on Sunday.
Reunion night: Thanks to everyone involved in a special reunion last weekend of one of our club's most successful juvenile teams, who won a string of titles between 1976 and 1979. This gave the players involved at that time an opportunity to show their appreciation to one of the Harps' greatest juvenile coaches, Harry Hughes.
Gabriel Reilly, Kevin Curran, Willie Bradley and then-captain Paul McEntee all spoke on the night, followed by Martin Hughes and Harry himself. Harry's family were there to support him, while there was a special surprise in the form of a lovely video message from Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns.
A booklet was prepared reflecting on their years together, stating: "No team can manage itself and this team were moulded and trained by two of the best in the business in Tim Keenan and Harry Hughes, who dealt with every player as if they were their own, and as they each had one of their own on the team, this made it all the more personal for them.
"It would be fair to say that talented though the team was, we would not have had the run of success we had were it not for the knowledge, passion and enthusiasm Tim and Harry had, ably aided in later runs by Éamonn O'Hara and Mick Moran. During the run ['76-'79], the team were only beaten once within the county (vs Scotstown at U-14), which was subsequently avenged in the corresponding final in that grade. This was not only testament to the team itself and its tenacity, but also to Tim and Harrys tactical and motivational strengths that meant we saw out games that, at times, we had no right to win.
"Tonight marks a long overdue thank you to both Tim and Harry, made all the sadder by Tim's death and by his son, our team mate Tim Jnr. in 2006. Without the support and backing of these two men, we would not have been unable to achieve what we did, and the lessons learned in those formative years has stood us in good stead over the last (almost) 50 years. Tonight also allows Monaghan Harps to pay tribute to one of their best and most successful juvenile coaches who paved the way for many more long after us."
Club Draw: The GAA's National Club Draw is back for 2025, offering great prizes. This is a valuable fundraiser for the club; all support would be appreciated. Please return all tickets by the first week of March.
Quiz: Our Hurling Club host a table quiz in the clubhouse tomorrow night (Friday, February 28) at 8pm. All support welcome.
Dancing with the Stars: We'd love to see as much support as possible for Kayleigh Trappe as she's making strides on RTÉ's Dancing with the Stars. Try and make it down to the clubhouse on Sunday for 6pm. We will have our very own Lucy O'Brien who will bring some glitter and dance moves. So sparkle up, and hopefully see you on Sunday. Some of the Trappe family will also be in attendance!!
Arch Club: We are hosting Monaghan Arch Club in the clubhouse on Thursday, March 13. We ask club members to please keep this date free if possible.
Clothing drive: Our Hurling Club's annual clothing drive returns for a final drop-off opportunity this Sunday. If you have any unwanted clothes, please bring them to the clubhouse between 12 noon and 1pm.
Registration: Thanks to everyone who has renewed their membership for 2025 so far: your continued support is appreciated. GRMA to our registrar Claire Ní Dhufaigh for her efforts. It is essential that all players at each grade are registered in advance of training commencing. Míle buíochas.
Club app: As well as offering an option to support our lotto, our club app also has a function to pay your annual membership, make financial donations to the club, as well as a communication suite for all that goes on at the club. You can get involved by downloading 'ClubZap' on your phone and registering as a Monaghan Harps GAA Club member.