Fixtures: Thursday, September 2: U-16 girls v Éire Óg (Home) at 6.45pm
Friday, September 3: U-15 HL v Latton (Home) at 7pm; U-12 girls v Emyvale (Away) at 7pm
Saturday, September 4: U-13 FL Division Two Shield Final v Truagh in Tyholland at 2pm; U-11 Development League v Castleblayney (Home) at 12pm
Sunday, September 5: SFC v Ballybay (Home) at 2pm
Monday, September 6: U-13 HL v Truagh (Away) at 6.45pm
Wednesday, September 8: U-15 HL v Clontibret (Away) at 6.45pm
Monaghan Harps Lotto: The numbers for last Sunday's draw were 5, 10, 18 and 21. Jackpot of €2,300 not won. The four €40 lucky-dip prize winners were: Noel 'Buster' Boyle c/o Dermot Coyle; Damien McMahon c/o Ann Treanor; Úna Forde c/o ClubZap; and Dessie McConnon c/o Eileen Morgan. Jackpot for Sunday, September 5 is €2,400. The club is asking members willing and financially able to contribute through our lotto towards club maintenance and running expenses. This can be done by two options: set up a standing order to our club lotto via quarterly or annual payments or using our new club app by downloading 'ClubZap' on your phone, registering as a Monaghan Harps GAA Club member and buying club lotto in bulk or on a weekly basis. Anyone interested can contact either Rose Donnelly (086 0825782); Maria McKenna (086 1057725) or Adrian Dalton (087 7859582). 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, while physical tickets should be with the lotto committee by 9pm.
Seniors: We lost out to Latton in last Sunday's Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship opener. We left ourselves with too much to do when trailing by 1-9 to 0-5 at half-time and despite having lots of possession during the third quarter, we struggled to make inroads into our deficit. A Michael Galligan goal eventually brought us within touching distance, but Latton hit the net twice late on to pull away for a final score of 3-13 to 1-11. We had nine scorers on the day, with Dylan McKenna kicking some fine points and Jamie Shields, Aodhán Óg McAnespie, Neil McAdam, Nicholas Scott, Michael Conor McCrystal, Dónal Hahessy and Dean Fanning all chipping in, but it wasn't enough to get off the mark in Group Two.
Team and scorers: Conor Callan; Jamie Shields (0-1), Conn O'Hanlon, Kevin Loughran; David Lowry, Aodhán Óg McAnespie (0-1), Thomas Croarkin; Neil McAdam (0-1), Dylan McKenna (0-3); Nicholas Scott (0-1), Michael Galligan (1-1, 0-1f), Tiarnán O'Rourke; Conor McCrystal (0-1), Dónal Hahessy (0-1), Dean Fanning (0-1f).
Subs: Kevin Moran for Lowry (H-T); Shane McMahon for Fanning (36 mins); Gary White for Hahessy (48); Oisín Fagan for O'Rourke (60).
Temporary sub: Nathan Lavery for McKenna (27-30).
A young team had fallen short in last week's final SFL group game away to Castleblayney.
Team and scorers: Daragh Croarkin; Thomas Croarkin, Nathan Lavery, Jamie Shields; Kevin Moran (0-1), David Lowry, Oisín Fagan (1-0); Tiarnán O'Rourke, Lochlainn Power; Conor McCrystal, Dónal Hahessy, Shane McMahon; Éimhín Morahan (0-6, 1f, 1m), Dean Fanning (0-1), Gary White.
Subs used: Dylan McKenna; Stephen Driver; Shane Smyth, Michael Galligan, Nicholas Scott; Liam Hahessy.
We host Ballybay this Sunday at 2pm. All support welcome.
Reserves: We exited the McKeown Cup with an extra-time loss at home to Truagh last Saturday. Goals by Daragh Croarkin and Luke Coyle had us in command for long spells of this game, but we let a lead slip out of our hands in the closing stages as Truagh forced extra-time. Truagh pushed ahead during extra-time and we couldn't catch up despite a late goal from Eoghan McGinnity, as we lost out on a scoreline of 2-18 to 3-13. Thanks to Finbarr Conlon, Jimmy Croarkin, Mickey O'Donoghue and the senior management for their efforts to date this year.
Team and scorers: Jason Allister; Andrew Lyden, Killian Conlon, Anthony Croarkin; James Keelaghan, Terence McDonald, Conor Devlin; Liam Conway (0-1), Daragh Croarkin (1-0); Jake Power (0-1), Eoghan McGinnity (1-4, 0-1f), Luke Coyle (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-1f); Nathan O'Donoghue, Mark McManus, Colm Shalvey (0-2).
Subs used: Jamie Coyle, Shay Cooney (0-1), Séadh Deeney.
Minors: Our U-17s fell short in Tuesday's MFL Division One semi-final despite another strong comeback away to Carrickmacross. Our lads were left with a mountain to climb at half-time against a strong Carrick side, but they kept plugging away and a brace of goals by Seán Callan helped bring us into the game. Luke McManus, Fionán Ó Gallchóir, Eoin O'Hanlon and Oisín Treanor all kicked points as we closed the gap to six points at 2-18 to 2-12, but it was Carrick who advanced to the league final. Well done to our minors on their efforts so far, with championship next up.
Team and scorers: Oisín Reilly; Max Aughey, Jake McConnon, Mark Clerkin; Jordan Crampton, Shea Swift (Capt.), Shane Moran; Seán Callan (2-0), Luke McManus (0-2f); Cian Bradley, Josh Kelly, Senan Cudden; Fionán Ó Gallchóir (0-2), Eoin O'Hanlon (0-6, 5f), Oisín Treanor (0-2).
U-15: Hard luck to our U-15 Division One team, who fell just short in an exciting league final against Scotstown in Emyvale last Sunday. Our lads got off to a slow start, but they worked their way into the game with points from Jack Lynch, Eoin Sheridan, Ethan McCaffrey and Dónal Moran. Scotstown led by 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time, but a John McCrystal goal levelled it up after the restart and even though our lads fell behind again, Jack Lynch fired to the net to equalise once more late on. John's late point looked like it might force extra-time, but despite our U-15s' best efforts all over the pitch, Scotstown responded with the last two scores to win by 1-12 to 2-7. Congratulations to Scotstown on their win in a fine game. Well done to our lads and all involved for their efforts so far this year, with championship still to come.
Team and scorers: Oisín McGeown; John Sherry, Diarmuid McGinnity, Dáire McKenna; Shea Corrigan, Kyle Cooney, Orrin Doherty; Mark Lynch, Jack Lynch (1-2); Eoin Sheridan (0-2), Ethan McCaffrey (0-1), Dónal Moran (0-1); Daniel Alexis, John McCrystal (1-1), Dara Mullin.
Subs: Rhys McCaffrey, Jack Kierans, James Gunn, Julian Coyle, Shane McGarry, Oisín Brannigan, Fergal Magee, John Paul Ginley, Daniel Aughey, Ryan Grant, Shay Lambe, Daithí Devlin, Rohann McKenna-Malocca, Kyle Murray.
U-13: Hard luck to our U-13 Division Six team, who lost out to Donaghmoyne in last Saturday's Shield semi-final. Good luck to the Division Two boys and their management in this Saturday's Shield Final against Truagh in Tyholland at 2pm. Please support!
U-11: Our U-11s battled well in their last Liam Stirrat Development League games against Magheracloone and Donaghmoyne. The boys showed some fantastic skill at their long-kick scoring, with a tremendous effort throughout by all players. Well done to all involved. The games continue this Saturday at home to Castleblayney.
Apartment in Lanzarote: Monaghan GAA are running a development draw with a first prize of a Holiday Home in Lanzarote.
Covid-19: Amid the high case numbers in the Monaghan area, we wish to remind our members and friends to remain cautious and comply with the health guidelines to keep everyone safe. We remind you to sanitise when entering the grounds at Gavan Duffy Park and for all players and parents to continue to update health status online before training and games.
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.
Hurling:
Seniors: Our seniors are preparing for the AM Hurleys Junior Championship Final on September 12. Venue to be confirmed.
Juveniles: Training continues at 11.30 on Sunday mornings.
Ladies:
Minor Championship Final: Huge congratulations to our minor squad who defeated Killeevan in the Division Three Championship Final last Wednesday at a sun-drenched and well-presented Drumhowan.
Harps got off to a whirlwind start with 1-2 to no reply within the first four minutes of the game, with early points from Erica McDonald and Jessica Leanne, followed by a Hannah McQuaid goal. Killeevan hit back with 1-1 following some good counter-attack play, but after some great work by Scarlett Herron, Hannah McQuaid was left unmarked to palm her second goal and make it 2-3 to 1-2 at the water break 2-3 to 1-2.
Killeevan narrowed the gap to a point again with a goal, before Erica from a long way out caught the keeper off her line and the ball crept into the net. Further points from Aoibheann and Louise McGinnity and Erica gave Harps a comfortable six-point lead close to half time.
The all-important fourth goal that put daylight between the teams came on the stroke of half time with Scarlett quickly reacting to her own free hitting the post before burying the ball to the back of the net. The second half was complete one way traffic as Harps outscored their opponents by eight points to one.
Co Board Secretary Mary Grimes presented the cup to joint-captains Louise McGinnity and Áine Ni Dhufaigh. Congratulations to Scarlett Herron, who was presented with the Player-of-the-Match award. Every player contributed greatly to a fantastic win on the night. The work-rate, skill and determination will live long in the memory of all who were present. A DVD will be available in due course, thanks to Seán McCaffrey and Byrne Videos.
Team and scorers: Kelly Croarkin, Aoife McSkeane, Áine Ni Dhufaigh, Leah Lennon, Chloe Bell, Alice Trainor, Jessica Leanne (0-1), Scarlett Herron (1-5), Orla Sherry, Erica McDonald (1-3), Louise McGinnity (0-3, 1f), Hannah McQuaid (2-0), Aoibheann McGinnity (0-2).
Subs used: Katie Trainor, Caitlin Ni Fhaogáin, Ellen McDonald. Missing: Cathy McKenny
Management: Gerard Clerkin, Adam McKenna, Catherine Clerkin, Patricia Mallen.
U-8/U-10: Our U-8s and U-10s participated in a GoGames blitz last Saturday in Castleblayney. Well done all involved; the girls loved every minute!
U-12: Hard luck to our U12s who were defeated by Seán McDermotts by seven points in Round three of the Division One Championship. Next up is Friday v Emyvale.
U-14s: Our preparations continue for the upcoming championship with recent competitive challenges v Emyvale, Middletown and O'Neills.
U-16s: Well done to our U-16 Division Three squad who had a comprehensive win against Seán McDermotts last Tuesday. Next up is a home game v Éire Óg this Thursday. Our Division Two squad hosted Scotstown on Wednesday.
Intermediate: Our intermediate squad are due to face Truagh this Friday in the Championship; best of luck to all involved.
