Fixture: Sunday, October 23: U-17 HC Division One S-F: St. Macartan's v Castleblayney at Gavan Duffy Park at 11am
Monaghan Harps Lotto: The numbers for last Sunday's draw were 8, 11, 17 and 30. Jackpot of €3,800 not won. The four €40 lucky-dip prize winners were: Richard McCaughey (direct debit); Sinéad Cunningham c/o ClubZap; Mary McRory c/o Paddy Donnelly; and Ronan McCaughey c/o Matt McCaughey. The sellers' prize of €20 was won by Barry Sullivan. Jackpot for Sunday, October 23 is €3,900. Thanks to everyone for their continued support for our lotto, which plays an integral part for the club. Please note that the cut-off point for ClubZap each week is 6pm on Sunday.
Seniors: We held on in a tense finish to edge last Saturday's play-off v Blackhill in Cremartin to eventually secure Intermediate status for 2023. Points by Neil McAdam and Luke McManus got us off to a steady start, but a goal from a penalty moved Blackhill ahead and we needed scores from Michael Galligan and Conor McCrystal to stay in touch at half-time at 0-4 to 1-2. A strong start to the second half ultimately made the difference in this game, as a burst of scores from Conor, Michael and Éimhín Morahan pushed us ahead. We were unable to build on that, meaning a nervy finale to the season put everyone through the wringer, but our defence held firm to secure a vital 0-8 to 1-4 win. We wish Nathan Lavery a speedy recovery from the injury he suffered towards the end of the first half and we wish Éimhín Morahan all the best as he heads Down Under, along with James McKenna and Francis Lynch. Saturday's game brought the curtain down on a challenging campaign, albeit one that saw four players make their first-team debuts and a dozen U-21s feature during the year. Thanks to manager Paddy Kelly, coach Christopher Quinn, selectors Steven Creighan and Darren Swift and backroom team of Aaron McCarey, Paul Gaffney, Michael O'Donoghue and Colm Shalvey for their efforts throughout 2022 and to our supporters for sticking with the team to the end.
Team and scorers: Daragh Croarkin; Dean Doherty, Nicholas Scott, Gary Devlin; Kevin Moran, Kevin Loughran, Thomas Croarkin; Tiarnán O'Rourke, Aodhán Óg McAnespie (Capt.); Nathan Lavery, Conor McCrystal (0-2), Luke McManus (0-1); Michael Galligan (0-3, 2f), Neil McAdam (0-1), Éimhín Morahan (0-1).
Subs: Dylan McKenna for Lavery (inj., 23 mins); Jake McConnon for McManus (57); Lochlainn Power for Galligan, Gary White for McCrystal (both 59).
Coffee morning: Following on from our successful men's health night in June, Monaghan Harps Healthy Club committee, in conjunction with Crocus and Monaghan Co Council, have designed posters with useful local and national helplines for men and women. We launched the posters at a coffee morning in the clubhouse last Thursday as part of world mental health day/week. Thanks to everyone who attended and to Crocus Men's Den, Monaghan County Council, Comhaltas Baile Mhuineacháin and Coláiste Oiriall for their support on the morning. Our Healthy Club committee, spearheaded by Úna Forde, do great work on behalf of our club and community. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Cumann na mBunscol: Good luck to St. Mary's Boys' School, Monaghan in the Cumann na mBunscol football final this Saturday morning in Castleblayney at 10.30!
Pitch development: Our development is moving along nicely. Many thanks to everyone who contributes to our lotto on a weekly basis, which has made this possible. To develop our pitches, access and look at floodlit facilities for the future, please help our club's growth financially through buying the lotto each week on the ClubZap app or from our many sellers.
'Movember' Championship Challenge: Monaghan GAA clubs will be participating in the 'Movember' Championship Challenge this November to raise awareness for Crocus Men's Den. To register, contact your club PRO or Úna Forde, or email: crocusmensden@gmail.com. Keep an eye out for more information.
Hurling: Good luck to the St. Macartan's U-17 hurlers in their semi-final v Castleblayney at Gavan Duffy Park this Sunday at 11am.
Scór: Well done to our Scór Sinsir ballad group, who represented club and county at last Saturday's Ulster Finals in Galbally. GRMA to our Cultural Officer Jackie Reilly and everyone involved in promoting Scór in our club this year.
Club app: As well as offering an option to support our lotto, our new 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.
