MONALEEN GAA CLUB NOTES

SENIOR HURLERS: Monaleen began their county senior hurling championship campaign wih a victory over South Liberties in Caherconlish on Saturday evening. After a slow start which saw them fall six points in arrears mid-way through the opening half, Monaleen rallied to trail by a single point at half-time, 1-4 to 0-8. Monaleen produced an improved second half showing, going on to win the game by a six point margin, 1-15 to 0-12. Well done to the players and coaches. Our final group game is due to be against Murroe-Boher on August 9.

RETURN TO ACTION: Monaleen GAA club are thrilled to return to the fields of play in recent weeks. Considerable efforts have been put in by officers of the club, across every sector – Adult, Juvenile, Ladies Football and Camogie, over the past number of weeks to prepare and plan for this return. There are significant requirements on the club, and we are very appreciative of the number of parents and coaches who have stepped forward to become Covid Compliance Officers for each team. We ask all members to do their utmost to comply with the requests of these officers. Together we will ensure that we all play our part in ensuring the safety of all members. We wish every team the best in their respective competitions.

CLUB FUNDRAISER: A clothes collection fundraiser in aid of Monaleen GAA, Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football will take place on Friday, September 4. More details about dropping off clothing for this event will be released closer to the time. All donations greatly appreciate.

PICNIC TABLES: We took delivery of 4 new picnic tables last week from Jim O’Gorman in Johnston & Johnston. After reading about the vandalism at our club, Johnston & Johnston asked if they could help out and replace them. They have delivered 4 new tables, and judging by the weight of them, they wont be easily budged!

LOTTO RESULTS: The latest Lotto draw took place on Thursday, July 23 with the jackpot standing at €20,000. The numbers drawn were 6, 27, 32 and 33. Winners of the €50 lucky dips were B. Collins, Plassey Grove; S. Mulcahy, Evanwood; B. Delaney, Beechfield; O/F McCoy, Woodhaven. The subscriber draw was staged on Thursday night last ‘behind closed doors’. The draw was streamed on Facebook and Instagram Stories. Thank you for your continued support.

CAMOGIE NOTES:

MINORS: Championship 2020 began for the camogie club last week with our Minor girls playing matches on Tuesday and Thursday. Wins at home to Doon by 5-6 to 1-2 and away to Mungret 3-8 to 2-7 put Monaleen on top of the 3 team group and into the semi-final. Our opponents on Wednesday 29th will be Kileedy and throw in is 7.30pm at the clubhouse pitch.

Minor Panel: Aimee O’ Brien; Juliette Pinson; Niamh Moloney; Emily O Halloran; Aoife Nelligan; Mia O Halloran; Amy Kavanagh; Charley Drury; Aoife Sheehan; Aisling O Driscoll; Saoirse Fitzgerald; Eimar Morgan; Lucy D’Arcy; Aoife Doyle; Ella Hession; Amy Burke; Clodagh Power; Roisin D’Arcy; Emily O Brien; Grace Malone; Grace Clohessy; Emily O’ Halloran; Ella McCarthy; Laura Southern.

CAMOGIE ACADEMY: Over 45 girls have attended the newly formed Monaleen Camogie academy on Saturday mornings at Monaleen Clubhouse. This initiative by Monaleen Camogie Development Officer Margaret Burke runs for underage girls up to U11.

LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL:

GROODY GAELS JUNIOR TEAM: The Groody Gaels ladies junior team played Athea in the first round of the county Junior championship in the Clubhouse pitch in Monaleen on Sunday afternoon last (26th July). Following an outstanding display from both teams, the sides finished all square on a scoreline of 2-10 a piece in a very entertaining encounter.

Athea started the game the better of the two sides converting some early scoring chances to take a lead if 1-02 to 0-00. Groody Gaels began winning more possession and following an excellent team move, full forward Ashling Duhig expertly converted a point scoring opportunity for Groody’s first score of the game. Following a second goal from Athea, center forward Caoimhe Lyons, who had a hugely impressive display, expertly sliced through the Athea defence and shot to the corner of the net. Both sides traded scores over the following few minutes including a super score from Groody midfielder Laura O’Mahony who got on the end of a 45M kick from corner forward Alie Lacey to slot the ball over the bar.

As the first half was drawing close, centre forward Caoimhe Lyons again struck with a super run and converted a lovely team move to get her second goal of the day. That left the half-time scoreli​ne​ Groody Gaels 2-3, Athea 2-7.

In contrast to the first half, Groody Gaels started the better of the two teams in the second half with an excellent early score from full forward Ashling Duhig and midfielder Rachel O’Dell. A superb work rate and willingness to fight for every possession shone through as Groody worked their way back into the game.

Throughout the final quarter of the game, Groody continued to force the pace and with scores from Aisling Doyle, Caoimhe Lyons, Rachel O’Dell and Maeve Higgins, the game was on a knife edge entering the final minute. With the scores level at 2-10 a piece, there was time for no more and the referee blew the final whistle.

Great praise must go to every member of the Groody Gaels panel who all contributed to a super display against a talented team in the first competitive game of the year.

Next up for Groody Gaels is an away match against Ahane on the 13th of August. Best of Luck Girls!

Groody Gaels Team: Marlon Carey, Clare Kiely, Sammi Chang (Captain), Anna Burke, Aoife Nelligan, Jemma Duhig, Annie Russell, Rachel O’Dell, Laura O’Mahony, Chloe Tobin, Caoimhe Lyons, Emily O’Halloran, Ciara Hodges, Ashling Duhig, Alie Lacey, Aisling Doyle, Maeve Higgins, Laura Donaghy, Bronagh Kelly, Caroline Leahy, Shannon McNamee, Lauren O’Shaughnessy, Aideen McCauley.

The Monaleen minor camogie squad which defeated Doon and Mungret

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