MONALEEN GAA CLUB NOTES
BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS: The re-introduction of tighter restrictions in recent times means that we must play all of our games ‘behind closed doors. This is a huge disappointment to all of us in the wider GAA community. We have no choice but to respectfully request our supporters not to attend, as your presence on the sideline could result in the fixture not proceeding. We trust that you will all understand this. We will endeavour to keep you updated of as many match results through social media where we can.
COVID-19: Due to the recent increase in COVID 19 cases around the country, Monaleen GAA Club would like to remind players and parents of the process involved in dealing with a suspected or confirmed case. Anyone who develops symptoms should self isolate and contact their GP for advice.
They should not attend any GAA activities while they await the results of the test. If the test is negative, no further action is required. The player in question can return to GAA activity once symptom free for 48 hours.
If the test is positive, then public health officials will do an assessment and identify close and casual contact. Close contacts must not attend any GAA activity until cleared to do so by medical professionals.
Casual contacts should monitor symptoms closely and are free to attend GAA activity, unless symptomatic. It is very important that all team personnel complete the GAA health questionnaire and adhere to all guidelines, including a home temperature check, before coming to training or matches.
We would ask all members to be vigilant of symptoms and, if they do develop, to self isolate and seek medical advice. If anyone has any questions please contact the club’s Covid Officer, Daniel Power at 085 8389170. We thank you all for your co-operation in these challenging times.
SENIOR FOOTBALLERS: Well done to our senior footballers and management team who defeated Galbally 0-12 to 0-6 in their second Limerick county senior football championship group game on Saturday afternoon. The win qualifies the side for the county quarter-finals as group winners. Monaleen will now face Ballylanders in the county quarter-final on Saturday, September 19 in Bruff at 4pm.
SENIOR HURLERS: Monaleen senior hurlers are due to face Blackrock in the Bons Secours Hospital County Senior Hurling Cup final at Caherconlish this Saturday at 5pm. Best of luck to the players and management team.
FUNDRAISING: Monaleen GAA club, as with all other voluntary groups, has been unable to carry out fundraising this year. We have kept our club lotto going, carried out major improvements to our clubhouse, and driveway to Peafield. As a result, funds are low. We will be reinstating the selling of our lotto ‘white tickets’ this week on our local Centra shops. We also have a ‘Cash for Clothes’ fundraiser this Friday. We ask you all to please support our fundraising efforts as much as you can for the remainder of the year.
CLUB FUNDRAISER: A clothes collection fundraiser in aid of Monaleen GAA, Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football will take place on this Friday, September 4. Please donate any clean, unwanted clothes, also bed linen, towels, curtains, paired shoes, bags and belts. No duvets, pillows, or wet, dirty or damaged clothes please. Bags can be dropped off on Wednesday, Septeber 2 and Thursday, September 3 from 6pm to 8pm and again on Friday, September 4 from 9am to 12 noon. Thanks for your support – the more we collect the more we receive.
HEALTHY CLUB PROJECT: Monaleen GAA Club is taking part in the GAA’s Healthy Club Project. We would appreciate if you could complete this brief questionnaire to help guide us on our Healthy Club journey by letting us know what areas of health you are most interested in. Open to non-members & members. Link to the questionnaire here. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XDDGHC6
FUNDRAISER FOR GER LAWLOR: The GAA community is rallying around our former senior football manager and popular Laois native Ger Lawlor to help ease the financial burden associated with his care following a stroke. Ger managed Monaleen to multiple county senior football championship successes. The club also reached the 2002 Munster club final. As a result of his recent stroke, Emo native Ger is now deemed long term care and will live out his life in a nursing home or at home with numerous carers. A fundraising Golf Classic for Ger Lawlor is taking place on Friday September 11 in Portarlington Golf Club. Teams of four are €160 and tee boxed can be purchased for €100. Tickets at €5 will also be on sale in the coming weeks. All support greatly appreciated. A GoFundMe page has also been set up. https://www.gofundme.com/f/friends-of-ger-amp-emo-gaa-fundraiser
LOTTO RESULTS: The latest Lotto draw took place on Thursday, August 27 with the jackpot standing at €20,000. The numbers drawn were 16, 19, 23 and 29. Winners of the €50 lucky dips were L. Likely, Shanbally; J. Moyles, Evanwood; J. McIntyre, Riverbank; J. Whittle, Carrigeen. 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: Junior Championship: Our Junior A girls played their second championship match on Saturday August 22nd, a home game v Tournafulla. The girls started well and had a big lead at half time 2-14 to 0-1 having taken some fine scores. Caoimhe Lyons scored 4-5 and Megan O’Mara 0-7 as Monaleen won well. Final 4-19 to 2-4. Panel: Caitlin Bonfil; Saoirse Lane; Grainne Fullen; Niamh Doyle; Ruth Heavey: Laura Hession; Clodagh Power; Megan O’ Mara; Ellen Regan Magner; Ella Hession; Caoimhe Lyons; Lucy D’Arcy; Aoife Doyle; Aine Doyle; Amy Burke; Aoife Sheehan; Aoife Nelligan; Emily O’Halloran; Grace Clohessy.
Our Junior teams are both out this coming weekend. Junior A are away to Ballybrown, throw in 5pm on Saturday while Junior 12 a side are in semi final v Ballybrown Friday,
U16 CHAMPIONSHIP: Our U16s had a very strong start to the championship with a good win at home v Ahane. This was a tough game against a strong team. Two first half goals from Amie O’Brien and Laura Hession saw Monaleen go into a 2 point lead at half time. A tight second half saw Monaleen win out on a score line of 4-10 to 3-11.
U14 MACKEY CHAMPIONSHIP: It was great to finally get back playing competitive camogie after such a long lay off. After a 2020 which so far has brought many disappointments for the girls, they were understandably both very nervous and excited leading up to the opening game. Training and challenge games just don’t have the same bite as championship action so it was a relief to players and coaches that the storm finally settled down and allowed the game to go ahead. The opening quarter was a dogged affair and credit to Blackrocks tackling & work rate for not allowing us to make a good start. We eased slowly into the game & 2 frees by Ellie and a point from play by Ciara had us off the mark. Several good clearances from Dani, Laurie & Ella kept the opposing forwards at bay but against the run of play a good goal by Blackrock knocked us back & we knew we were not going to have an easy run. A super point by Aoife from an acute angle give us more confidence and a superbly worked team move saw Sarah knock over a beauty from wide on the left. Our strong halfback line of Siobhan, Grace & Caoimhe began to take control & win lots of 50/50 ball which provided the much needed ammunition for the forwards. Another point by Ciara after a determined run left us leading by 0-06 to 1-00 at the interval. Facing into a strong breeze we knew the 2nd half was going to be tough but a blistering start with goals by Bella & Sarah inside the opening minutes gave us a cushion. Merveille was making life difficult for the Blackrock backs with dangerous balls into the square & Leah was making her presence known at centre forward & didnt allow the Blackrock half back line to gain any dominance with the breeze. Some more Blackrock attacks were thwarted by the tight marking of Ella with Laurie on hand to assist & clear any danger. Faye was commanding in goals with long clearances & her accuracy in picking out a Monaleen player was the source of many attacks.
Caoimhe, Grace & Ciara were now dominating the middle third of the pitch & Niamh began to get on more ball at the edge of the square resulting in her getting a good score from play. A further point from Ellie following a strong run & excellent team play put us in a commanding lead. Alice joined the fray with time running out & was immediately a threat with darting runs. Late pointed frees by Bella & Ellie & a goal by Sarah saw us win out on a scoreline of 3-12 to 1-02. Well done on a great team performance. Scorers: 2-01 Sarah Burke, 0-06 Ellie Madden, 1-01 Bella Collins,0-02 Ciara Buckley,0-01 Aoife O’Brien; 0-01 Niamh Twomey. Huge Thanks to Lorraine & all at La Cucina for presenting our U14 Squad with a fabulous new set of jerseys for the championship. This team are playing at home Tuesday night to Cappamore
U14 TREATY CHAMPIONSHIP: Monaleen B had 2 matched this week at home to Mungret and away to Ballybrown. Monaleen U13 girls played round 4 of the U14 championship last Tuesday. Playing at home against a good Mungret team who had won their opening 2 matches, this was always going to be a top of the table battle and storm Francis didn’t make matters any easier!! Against the elements in the first half, Monaleen’s super girls played out of their skins. An early goal for Mungret was quickly cancelled out when Alice Sheedy struck to the back of the net for Monaleens opening goal. The girls defended brilliantly for the remainder of the first half and the score at half time was Monaleen 1-0 Mungret 1-3. The second half was all Monaleen as they kept their opponents scoreless. Pressure after pressure was mounted on the Mungret goal and it eventually paid off with goals from Alice Sheedy, Lucy Power and Rachel Widger(2). This was an exciting, sporting match from both teams with great skill and grit on display all around. The girls now have 3 wins from 3 and have secured a cup semi final place. Well done to all. Final score, Monaleen 5-3, Mungret 1-3. Team: Erika McCarthy, Carrie McCormack (jc),Emma O’Leary, Andrea Costello, Kate Moloney, Emma McGrath, Lily Reid, Millie Reen, Grace Hegarty (0-2); Alice Sheedy (2-0), Emily O’Riordan, Lucy Power (1-1), Ella Rock, Rachel Widger (jc) (2-0), Rebecca Bromell, Isabelle Bromell, Molly Morrissey, Aoife real Dawson, Laoise Noonan.
Monaleen u13s played their final U14 Treaty group match on Sunday morning against Ballybrown . Having won their opening 3 matches, the girls were on a high and looking to top the group. With only a squad of 16 players, due to injuries and player unavailability the girls got off to a slow start and were down after an early goal from Ballybrown. A few frees from Grace got the girls back on level terms and after the water break the forwards came alive and led by our inspirational captain Rachel, we saw 3 lovely worked goals from Laoise and Ella (2) putting the girls in a commanding position at half time leading 3-3 to 1-0. The second half started like the first and the teams exchanged scores before Points from Molly and Lucy and another goal sealed the win. 2 late goals from Ballybrown didn’t matter and final score was Ballybrown 3-2, Monaleen 4-5. 4 wins from 4 for this u13 team and we now top the group and are guaranteed a home semi-final in a few weeks time. The future is sure bright for this group and Monaleen camogie. Team: Erika McCarthy, Orlaith Purcell, Emma O Leary, Andrea Costello , Isabelle Bromell, Emma McGrath , Lily Reid, Millie Reen, Grace Hearty (0-3), Lucy Power(0-1) , Robyn d’Arcy, Molly Morrissey(0-1), Ella Rock( 2-0), Laoise Noonan ( 2-0), Rachel Widger (Capt), Louise Burke.
MONALEEN SUMMER ACADEMY: Saturday 22nd of August saw the end of a very successful 6 week summer Academy with over 70 girls involved. Huge thanks to Kyle Hayes and Dan Morrissey from Limerick Senior hurling team who called out to speak to the girls. Huge thanks to the organisers and coaches who contributed so much to this academy.
MONALEEN U-6 NURSERY: Sunday August 30th saw the inaugural Monaleen Camogie U6 Nursery commence with approx 30 girls taking part. It was lovely to see this groups excitement and enthusiasm on a beautiful Sunday morning at Monaleen Clubhouse. The future is bright for Monaleen Camogie.
Monaleen U16 hurling squad who defeated Kilmallock in the championship on Monday night