Yes, we're back in business after a little lapse last week! Well not so much a lapse, as a surge, what with 4 matches at different levels in 5 days, something had to give!!

Our U-14 team suffered a defeat to St. Anne's (Philipstown) on Monday evening, the second time in a week, though at a different grade. This match too was played on the, by now, infamous 'sand' pitch which our girls found very difficult to get accustomed too in the short time available, but that is not in any way to detract from St. Anne's win on a score-line of 4-2 to 2-0 - both teams were on the same pitch after all!

However, on Tuesday evening Clontibret more than compensated with an excellent win over Derrynoose in the Armagh U-14 League. Many thanks to a number of the players and their parents who went to great lengths to ensure we had a full panel for the match as they were in a school production at 7.30pm - in fact they literally dashed off the pitch and straight to the concert hall!!

On Thursday evening our senior players were in action against Castleblayney in the Monaghan League and maintained their unbeaten run on a score-line of 1-16 to 3-5. As this was the last match our exam students were participating in until they have completed their studies, it was a motley, though very determined, dozen who headed to Madden for an Armagh League, Premier Division, match on Friday evening. And of course the inevitable happened once again when, after only 15 minutes of play, Michelle Morgan was forced to embark on a trip to Craigavon Hospital with what appeared initially to be a serious ear injury. Thankfully however, with skilled medical attention, her ear was 'glued' and she eventually returned to Clontibret in the small hours of Saturday morning looking more akin to a rugby player with a large pressure bandage than the sylph-like creature she really is. Imagine the delight of little Codi and Penny on Saturday morning seeing Mammy in 'fancy head-dress' so early in the day for Codi's birthday party later! Yes, the joys of combining motherhood and sport!!

For Niamh Kieran, Hannah McSkeane and Nicole McNally it was a hectic week as they headed to the University of Limerick on Wednesday for the All-Ireland Schools Basketball finals. Then on Saturday Niamh and Hannah were joined by Sorcha McDonald on the Monaghan U-14 ladies football team that defeated Tyrone in the Ulster final. Congratulations girls! Well done also to the Monaghan senior ladies on their impressive win over Cork in the National League final.

Saturday too was a very important day for the little girls in our Beginner Group: Aoife Gavan, Ellanna Fitzpatrick, Ellyn McKenna, Emma Treanor, Ria McCann and Siné Markey who received the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. Congratulations to each of you also.

Tomorrow (Tues) 24 of our primary school payers will travel to Cloghan for the outdoor Cumann na mBunscol Blitz. During this event Gerard Gribben (Regional Development Officer) will choose 2 players from the 55 who will participate, to play in the INTO Mini-Sevens at half time during one of the All-Ireland Hurling championship games in the summer. Last year Sorcha McDonald had the honour of being chosen to represent our school and county. Best wishes to all our girls and perhaps one of you will be lucky to be chosen.

This Saturday we play host to St Anne's in an U-14 match at 11am. Players are asked to meet at 10.15. Due to both Marie and Pauric Dowdall being unavailable this Saturday, county U-14 training as been postponed.

Best wishes to our county senior players who take on Armagh in the Ulster Junior championship on Saturday. Malachy will circulate details to the panel during the week as soon as they become available. Players are urged to make themselves available if at all possible though between injuries and exams the numbers in our club are dwindling rapidly!

This week, due to the Blitz in Cloghan on Tues, our primary school players will train on Thursday at 6pm. Please continue to check texts for details of other coaching sessions which are being re-scheduled to accommodate games. Again, apologies to all for the lack of consistency these past few weeks. Everyone seems to be very adaptable though!

Finally, every good wish to all those doing college and state examinations in the coming weeks. Hopefully when you return you will be 'rarin' to go! Tweet

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