The Kilpatrick Competition started at the end of August and finished in the last week of October. Earlier in the year eleven of the panel had been stalwarts in the three-in-a-row Coyle Cup victory. The initial games produced some sparkling performances with victories over Blayney, Carrick and Emyvale. We lost to Truagh before finishing with victories over Cremartin and an understrength Scotstown team. The semi-final was a tour-de-force with an impressive victory over Truagh in which 10 players got on the scoreboard. The final was, as predicted, against the fancied Scotstown lads. An Bhoth playing with the benefits of the elements got off to a great start with two goals in the middle of the first half. This provided them with the launching pad and confidence to go-on and deservedly capture the Kilpatrick Cup. Our lads deserve credit for the way they represented the club and the dignity with which they coped with the disappointment of defeat. The panel for the final was: Jonathan Reidy, Emmett McArdle, Matthew Mullen, Conor Galligan, Raymond Treanor, Philip Drohan, Brian McElvaney, Ciaran Boyce, Garret Treanor, Paul Toal, Gary White, Donal Cuddy, Colm Reilly, Donal Hahessy, David Hughes, Aidan Connell, Niall Brannigan, Gary McArdle, Mark Mulhall, Kevin Martin, Nicholas Scott, Padraig Reddan. The mentors were Tom Cuddy, Colm MacCinna, Brian Lenehan and Enda Galligan. Coyle Cup Under 12 Division 1 The team Manager of the Coyle Cup team had an early start to preparation for this competition. team training commenced in mid February and the competition conclude on the 1st July at Clontibret when Monaghan Harps took home the Coyle Cup for the third year in a row after overcoming a very good Scotstown team. Hugh McKenna set down the aims for this Under 12 panel, familiarisation with the basic skills of Gaelic Football, putting players first and winning an aspiration but enjoying the game an essential. The panel was made aware that misconduct would not be tolerated, whether directed to a team mate, an official or an opponent. At the outset of the year the panel consisted of 30 players, and after a number of weeks this was reduced to 20. The team's strongpoint was that they had exceptionally talented players throughout the full panel. The strength in depth was illustrated in great victories over Emyvale, Donaghmoyne, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross and Truagh Gaels. A place in the semi-finals was achieved against Emyvale. This game was played in Tyholland. It was a sparkling game with great passages of skilled football from both teams. Victory at the final whistle assured the team of a place in the Coyle Cup Final 2002. The final was fixed for Clontibret on the 1st July and opponents would be irrepressible Scotstown. The game was another cliff hanger throughout but Harps took the initiative from the start and finished deserved winners of the Coyle Cup 2002. This was a marvellous achievement for Monaghan Harps as it was now three Coyle Cup victories in a row. The Team Manager Hugh McKenna had great backup in Delia Finnegan (first aid), Marie McKenna who kept the gear in pristine condition, Gary Murphy who put in an enormous amount of time in coaching the boys and John Hahessy team selector. The Coyle Cup was back in the Trophy Cabinet for the third time, to the thunderous applause of our supporters. A feature of the win was that Emmett McArdle and Colm Reilly now have three Coyle Cup medals won in successive years on their respective mantelpieces. A remarkable achievement. Panel of players: Luke Curran, Mark Campbell, Niall Clerkin, Daniel Duffy, Conor Finnegan, Niall Hahessy, Raymond Lee, Kevin Martin, Mark Mulhall, Aiden McAnespie, Emmett McArdle, Conall McKenna, Conor McGinn, Dean McMahon, Jonathan Reidy, Colm Reilly, Pauric Reddan, Robert Smyth, Stephen Sullivan, Dean Treanor, Paul Toal, Myles Watson. Clancy Cup annexed Team Manager John McAleer and mentors Adrian Trappe and Ben McCloy, early in the season assembled the Clancy Cup team panel at a meeting in the clubhouse to set out their stall for the 2002 Under 15 Division 1 competition. The target was the retaining of the Clancy Cup in the Clubhouse for another year. Plans were laid down in advance for training sessions and emphasis was placed on discipline on and off the pitch. Team Captaincy would be alternated between games. Training would commence one month in advance of the start of the competition. When the season commenced the first tough encounter was against Scotstown. After falling behind early on the team came back strongly in the second half to get the campaign off to a good start with a great victory. The second game was against Carrickmacross where the team suffered a heavy defeat to a better team. Following easy wins over Donaghmoyne, Inniskeen, Castleblayney, Cremartin and Sean McDermotts a top of the table position was achieved. Top four for the semi- finals were Harps, Carrickmacross, Scotstown and Sean McDermott's. A toss of a coin decided the two games. Harps drew Sean's. The game was played in Smithboro. After an easy win over this opposition in the league this game turned out to be a tough struggle. Playing poorly for long period's Harps struggled to win in the end. Carrick came through from the other semi-final, so opponents in the final was the only team Harps lost to in the competition. The final was played in Drumhowan before a large attendance with lots of local support. The boys had great confidence and self-belief going on to the pitch and after a difficult first half we were being led by two points. The second half saw the confidence gelling in the opening minutes, and playing an excellent brand of football Harps ran out easy winners. Shane Smyth had the honour of captaining the team in this wonderful win. The manager John McAleer and his mentors Adrian, Ban and physio Delia Finnegan must be congratulated for their input through the competition. The discipline of the team was of a very high standard with not a player receiving a red card or coming to the attention of any referee, for any major indiscretion in the nine games played. The players were a credit to their parents and worthy ambassadors for the club. As the manager commented afterwards he got great satisfaction and enjoyment working with a fine team. The magnificent fifteen consisted of; Emmett Kinsella, Ciaran Boyce, Darragh Mallon, Paddy Connolly, Dean Fanning, Con O'Hanlon, Paul Whelan, Stephen Driver, Niall McAdam, Tiarnach McGinnity, Michael Boyce, Pauric Donnelly, Stephen Finnegan 1-7, Michael Boyce 1-3, Tiarnach McGinnity 0-2, Pauric Donnelly 0-1, Mark O'Connor 1-0, Con O'Hanlon 0-1. Although no substitutes were made on the night the subs through the competition also made a significant contribution to this success, Gary White, Mark Gilsenan, Gearoid Lenehan, Gerard McElvaney, Johnny McQuaid, Garry Martin, Chimuia Chukkuiemaeka, Sean Egan, Niall Brannigan. Off field activities At last years AGM we appointed Seamus Deeney to a new post of Games Promotion officer and in this role Seamus brought out a wonderful promotional leaflet and visited all the schools of the parish. We also brought out a Code of Conduct for the Players and guidelines for mentors at the start of the year and had a foundation level coaching course run at Gavan Duffy Complex in which 14 people from our own club participated. It would be our hope that in 2003 we will be able to build on this by having a Level 1 course available to those who want it and another foundation level course for those who have not yet had the chance to do it. We would also hope to go into the new year with a few new initiatives that will further our image as a child friendly club that goes about it's business in a proper manner. On the fund-raising front we again ran a successful flag day in June and a Sponsored walk in October and we have a church gate collection yet to come in December. These events do not just happen and the clubs gratitude is due to all who helped out in their running. In particular our thanks is due to the Juvenile activities sub-committee who are major contributors to these events and to the family orientated celebrations after the various finals. When one looks back at the past year in Juvenile Ranks it was without doubt an exceptional year, particularly on the playing field where we ended the season with five cups in the trophy cabinet. For the club to field eight teams who were in general well behaved, well turned out and competitive requires a lot of hard work and we want to thank all our team mentors and coaches as it is obvious at all levels that the ground work is being done on the training pitch. The club is indeed fortunate to have so many talented people at their disposal who are willing to give of their time and effort to our Juvenile section. Our thanks also to our first-aid people and in particular Delia and Enda both of whom have the relevant courses and are in constant demand. There is an obvious need for more people of this calibre within the club and we feel that this is something that will have to be tackled in the incoming year. We would also like to thank the general committee of the club who have been very supportive of the Juvenile section and all reasonable requests were granted without question. Also recognition is due to those parents and club members who gave support to our teams or helped out in any way, be it in the running of the Street Leagues or Flag Day or contributing sandwiches to the aftermatch functions. Tweet

Most Read Stories