When journalist Kevin Carney reviewed Monaghan Harps Coyle Cup success in the much-coveted U12 competition in 2000 for the Monaghan GAA Yearbook, Team Manager Tom Cuddy was described as "gung-ho" about their prospects. Well if the year under review is anything to go by his optimism is fully justified. The County Town Team took their 11th title in this age group and two-in-a-row for the first time since the late 80s. This was an exceptional achievement by this young side - but they by no means had it all their own way. "A week is a long time in Politics" is a much-hackneyed phase but in Monaghan Harps there is no doubt that two months represents a lifetime in the Juvenile Section. There are two stories that will enter the legend after this years success and will be recounted over the years in the Rooskey Clubhouse. The first has Nicholas Scott, an All-Ireland U10 Community Games Gold medallist in '99, in the lead role - albeit one he would not have chosen himself. Mid-way through the first half in the initial league game of the season against Truagh Nicholas, playing at half forward went high to field a ball. He fell awkwardly and immediately it was obvious that the young star was in agony. Two bones broken in his left leg meant x-rays and a cast. Each visit to the medical Consultants was an opportunity for "Scottie" to quiz the Experts on his prospects to play in the semi-final or final. When the final was played on the 30th June, only nine weeks later, Scottie was wearing the No 13 jersey- lucky for some!! That takes heart - heart that was evident in abundance from this Town squad. It is well recognised that getting the winning feeling early in a player's career is vital in building a momentum and loyalty to the game. Well it doesn't come much earlier than at Under 12 and Harps with Tom Cuddy, Colm MacCinna and Brian Lenehan at the helm have started a group of young players on the road to hopefully minor and ultimately senior success as a result of winning the 2001 Coyle Cup. With one game left in the league section Harps were eagerly awaiting the Semis with six comfortable victories behind them. Just the final league game against Scotstown ... and that brings me to the second story!! If teams learn more from losing than winning then Harps were in for a sharp short lesson. Scotstown were determined to avenge the 2000 final defeat, and in the league game dominated every sector of the field and ran out the easy winners on a scoreline of 3-10 to 0-3. The Harps contingent in a fine crowd left Rooskey with little reason for optimism. For the Management Team there was a lot to ponder after their first defeat in two years. "At least we were not drawn against Scotstown at the Semi-final stage" recounts the team boss, a Roscommon native. "That gave us more time - more time was what we needed as we had been badly hit with injuries to players and we had not been really challenged until we met our neighbours in blue," Tom continues. "The semi saw us paired against Blayney a game we ran out easy winners after a top class second half performance. 'The jobs to be done, lets do it' Enthusiasm radiates from this versatile club working group, the job's to be done, lets do it. The Monaghan Harps Juvenile sub-committee for 2001 commenced its work on 25th January. The sub-committee consists of Neill McGinn, Cathaoirleach, Donal Sherry, Leas Cathaoirleach, Mick Farrell Runai, Seamus Trappe Runai Cunta and committee members, Declan McArdle, Hugh McKenna, John Hahassy, Tom Cuddy, Brian Lenehan, Johnny McPhillips, Ann Treanor, Mary White, Mary McGinn, Marie McArdle, Rose Donnelly, Brendan McCann, Colm McCionnath, Fergal Kierans, Seamus Meehan. The responsibilities of the group encompass social activities, publicity, coaching, team management, registration, player welfare, interaction and communication with the Club Executive Committee. These chores may appear expansive but are spread throughout the sub-committee who during 2001 has been exemplary in their application to the many tasks presented. One member Colm MacCionnath got married during the year and that settled him down no end. As you can see from above ladies provide resourcefulness within the sub-committee that is invaluable. Neill McGinn entered the juvenile administration as Cathaoirleach this year. He has weathered the tribulations that obviously arise in this hectic club activity right well ... and has come through unscathed. Teams catered for in 2001: Under 15 Clancy Cup team (TM Declan McArdle), Under 14 Mason Cup team (TM Ciaran Reilly), Under 13 Kilpatrick Cup team (TM Brian Lenehan), Under 13 McArdle Cup Team (TM Fergal Kierans), Under 12 Coyle Cup Team (TM Tom Cuddy), Under 12 Conlon Cup team (TM Hugh McKenna). Team receptions, flag day, team presentations, table quiz's, sponsorship arrangement, fixture advice, team panel rejigging, first aid, all dealt with capably from within the ranks of the sub-committee. It must be acknowledged that the County Bord na nOg officers Ailish McEntee, Bernie Collins, Anita Finnegan and the club juvenile officers had an excellent working relationship throughout the year. Cathaloirleach Cumann Clairsigh Fergus Coyle, the club officers and committee benevolently kept a watching brief, and were most helpful. The young juvenile players in our club have made the greatest possible contribution to Cumann Clairsigh, loyalty, hard training, great performances and exemplary discipline. The club also conveys special appreciation to all the parents who place their trust in our club to foster and promote all these attributes. In 2001 responsibility rested in capable hands. Pride of place Pride and place in the club this season must go to the Under 16 team and the management of this successful panel as they were crowned league champions, and just failed by the minimum margin in pulling of the league and championship double. In the championship the team played Clones in the first round and ran out convincing winners 7-08 to 3-05. Next was Emyvale in the semi final in Scotstown and won by 3-09 to 2-05 with the scores coming from Nicholas Scott, Stephen Finnegan, David Murphy (1-0 each), Mark McAdam (0-4), Stephen McAleer (0-3), Mark Morgan and Carl O'Leary (0-1 each). In the final the opposition was Castleblayney and the game was played in Tyholland but things started off in the worst possible way and the Harps went in at half time nine points behind after failing to play the way they had been all season, but the character of this panel came through in no uncertain terms in the second half and they just failed on a scoreline 0-15 to 2-08 to be champions. The team was Gabriel Treanor, Gary Trappe, Michael Buckley, Tommy Toal, Nicholas Traynor 0-1, Rory McCarville, Darren Molloy, Mark Morgan, Stephen McAleer 1-0, Shane Smyth 0-1, Michael McElvaney, David Murphy, Carl O'Leary, Mark McAdam 0-3, Stephen Finnegan 0-2 and subs Shane Scott 1-1, Brendan Regan, Shane Coyle, Darren Toal, Tommy Mulhall, Nigel McEntee, Gerald Gilsen, Ronan Garvey, Stephen McElvaney. In the league programme the team had game against Scotstown, Donaghmoyne, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney and Magheracloone and they made their way into the semi final were they were pitted against Scotstown and the game was played in Truagh and the Harps ran out convincing winners 2-22 to 1-03. The game was really over at half time as they led 2-08 to one point. The scorers were Mark McAdam who hit an incredible 12 points with the remainder shared among Shane Smyth 1-2, Carl O'Leary 1-1, Stephen Finnegan 0-2, Michael McElvaney 0-2, and one from Darren Molloy, Shane Coyle and Nigel McEntee. In the final the lads would play Carrickmacross and after a titanic struggle the first meeting ended all square, Harps 1-15, Carrickmacross 2-12, and the replay again fixed for Aughnamullen the following week. Once again the lads trailed at half time by three points and by four with 15 minutes remaining, but having experienced defeat in the championship final the lads would not be denied in this league final and ran out deserving winners 2-13 to 1-09 and took the McNally Cup back to Gavin Duffy. This panel have got what they deserved as they wore the Harps jersey with the pride and passion all season many congratulations to the management of Damian and Micky Morgan and Jim McConnon on a tremendous year. Unfortunately it was not as good at senior level as for most of the season it really was a struggle to get out of the bottom four. The first six games in the league the Harps had just one point in the league table which came from a home draw against Corduff and the first win came on July 1st with a 4-08 to 1-07 victory over Oram. Unfortunately things were poor in the championship and after drawing with Sean McDermotts in the first round 1-09 to 2-06 the replay went the way of the Seans when they won by three points 0-11 to 0-08, and then it was Aghabog it the second chance in the championship but the team were well beaten 0-10 to just two points. To their credit the second half of the league saw an improvement and got victories over Tyholland, Corduff, Clones and the last three games which really saved the season with wins over Aghabog, Oram and Sean McDermotts and relief ran through the club that the dreaded drop to junior football had been avoided. The Division 2 and Division 4 teams had reasonable good runs in their perspective leagues while the minor team had wins over Carrickmacross and Scotstown and drew with Inniskeen, but were beaten by Carrick in the minor championship. The ladies in the club have went through a year, which they would not like to experience again. Having won the County, Ulster, and All-Ireland titles last season the club were determined to retain all the titles this season even though it would be tougher as everyone wants to beat the champions. The first round of the championship they defeated Scotstown, and then a draw with Magheracloone but the replay was not played and the Harps went to the final were they met Aghabog and after a replay the Harps won 2-09 to 0-06. The team played St Eunans of Donegal in the Ulster semi final and won by one points 3-07 to 2-09. Next it was the Tyrone champions Carrickmore in the Ulster final and after a titanic battle the Harps had retained the title by 3-08 to 3-07. Or so they thought. As they prepared to play Connacht champions Corancon in the All-Ireland quarter final an objection was lodged by Carrickmore regarding a player allegedly not registered in time to play in the county final. The player in question was registered in time with the County Board but the registrar of the County Board failed to send the documents on to Central Council in time which was out of the clubs control. The Harps appealed the decision of Central Council but to no avail and the club were unfairly stripped of their Ulster crown and refused the right to play in the remaining All Ireland series. The ladies management of John McAleer and Brendan McKenna and the entire club are the innocent deemed guilty of a mistake at County Board level. On a brighter note the minor team won the 11-a-side minor league when the defeated Latton 4-16 to 1-07 and the team was Bonny Fleming, Laura McAleer, Nicola Neeson, Dona Toal, Yvonne Connell, Slaney Murray 1-3, Charlene Graham 0-3, Nicola Reilly 0-2, Cathy Murray 0-1, Ami Sullivan, Orla Callan 3-7. Subs: Leanna Leonard, Stephanie Keenan and Leann McGovern. Management: Anita O'Reilly, Brendan McCann and Ben McCloy. Tweet

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