7th March 2011

The Monthly club meeting is on this Friday 11th March at 9.00PM in the Clubhouse - all committee members are asked to attend.

The 2010 underage awards took place last Saturday night in Riverstown Hall and the overall winner was minor Shane Barry who was presented with the Leo & Phil Kearns Memorial Cup by Niall Kearns. The full winners list was; Girls - U10 Rachel Boyd, U12 - Eillis O'Connor, U14 - Aisling Boyd, U16 - Ciara McCann - Boys - U10 - Dylan McDermott, U12 - Shamrocks - Steven Willis, U12 Gaels - Andy Flynn, U14 - Ryan McKenna, U16 - Gavin McMorrow, Minor - Shane Barry. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the Kearns family for their continued sponsorship of this event. The 2010 Minor B Championship winners and the 2010 U14 C Blitz winners were presented with their medals on the night by Francis Quinn.

The Senior team got the season proper off to a great start with an impressive win over St Johns in the first round of the league last Saturday. The Gaels dominated the first half and had St Johns under pressure from the start. Paddy O'Grady opened the scoring with a point on six minutes while John Paul Henry was well placed on nine minutes to score a goal after picking up a re-bound from the crossbar. The Gaels added five more points in the first half - two each from Paddy O'Grady and Frank Quinn while half back Keith McMorrow aslo got on the scoresheet to leave the Gaels eight points up at half time on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-1. St Johns had a mini revival in the first four minutes of the second half with a goal and a point to narrow the gap, however the Gaels responded well and restored their lead with four points in quick succession mid-way through the half. The Gaels concentration lapsed in the final ten minutes and they let St Johns in for four points, however in the end they had done enough and went on to win on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-6. The team was: Nigel Hargadon, Colin Harte, Niall Henry, Keith McMorrow (0-1), Paul Brennan, Francis Quinn (0-2), James Lyons, Conor Mullen, Liam O'Connell, Derrick Davey, Vinny Boyd, Mark Tuohy (0-1), John Paul Henry (1-2), Peter Henry, Paddy O'Grady (0-5). Subs: Noel Jinks for P Brennan (inj), Brian McDermott for D Davey. Enda Tuohy for J P Henry (inj).

The club wish to welcome Nigel Hargadon who made his debut on the Senior team at the weekend and we also wish John Paul Henry a speedy recovery from an injury sustained in the match.

The senior team are away to Tubbercurry next Saturday in round 3 of the Kiernan Cup at 5.00PM.

The Minor team are also away to Tubbercurry next Sunday at 11.00AM.

There will be a foundation coaching course this weekend 11th/12th March in the Teeling Centre - it is mandatory for all underage coaches/managers to have this qualification. For those who have the foundation level there will be an Award 1 coaching course on 26th/27th April - to register your interest please contact coaching officer Mark Tuohy.

The Clubs annual dinner dance takes place on Saturday 19th March in Castledargan - tickets are now on sale from any club member.

The annual Golf Classic takes place on Saturday 21st May in Castledargan - to reserve your tee time - contact Eugene Carroll on 087 2216477 or email pro@hamrockgaels.com.