Maureen Campbell won an award in 2006 for her work on behalf of Corduff Gaels. But you'll have to read on to see which of her portfolios the award related to! Dedication, hard work and commitment. Of such ingredients is success constructed. It's a potent mix that also characterises Maureen Campbell's role within Corduff GFC. All the GAA euphemisms sit comfortably with the Corduff gael. Eager-beaver, true blue, sterling and trojan. She's all them and more. In 2006, Maureen's contribution to the cause of Gaelic games in her domain saw her afforded the Club Youth Officer of the Year award. Softly-spoken, the 2007 club Secretary says that she was genuinely surprised upon receiving the aforementioned award. She was truly taken aback. "I didn't expect to be considered never mind to get the award," Maureen explains. The first time I got wind of it was when I got a text message from a person at the convention. "It's the first award that I've ever received from the GAA but my father Gene (Marron) got the Club Officer of the Year exactly 25 years ago (1981) so that was a co-incidence." The late Gene Marron was a veritable institution in Corduff and Monaghan GAA circles and by dint of her record of achievement to date, Maureen is heading in the same direction. Gene's award coupled with Maureen's accolade is obviously a matter of great pride to the Marron/Campbell family but it's a fitting tribute to their hands-on work on behalf of Corduff. Maureen's father was Treasurer of Corduff when he sadly passed away in 2000 but thanks to the work of such as Maureen, the Farney county crew is still in good hands. Maureen is currently joined in the cockpit of the club by her sister Eileen Keenan who has her hands on the purse strings, the job her late father was so accomplished in carrying out. Although she doesn't say as much, it's plain that the 2006 award came as a morale-booster for Maureen but what exactly was her role as Youth Officer of Corduff Gaels? "Basically part of the job would be looking after the juvenile members and making sure that all of them were involved in playing football with the club. "Getting newcomers involved in the club is an important part of the job of the Youth Officer too because in recent years new families have settled in the area. "Then you have to help arrange transport, liase with the underage coaches and ensuring that the coaches all do their coaching courses including the code of ethics." Maureen acted as Youth Officer of Corduff in 2004, '05 and '06 having been a member of the parent committee for a number of years prior to 2004. Despite their three-year stint as Youth Officer, it's clear that her time at the coalface hasn't put Maureen off having to roll up her sleeves. "I wouldn't be involved (with the club) if I didn't enjoy it and get great satisfaction," Maureen explains. I get great enjoyment out of working with the juvenile end of the club in particular. "I love to see youngsters playing football, whether they win, lose or draw, especially at under 12 or under 14 levels," says Maureen who doubles up as juvenile secretary. Maureen is also the Insurance Officer but it's, literally, a case of mum's the word as to what type of batteries she's on to help her keep so many fires burning simultaneously. Although she reckons that some 90% of boys in the locality are playing Gaelic football, Maureen says the 'numbers game' is a perennial bone that has to grappled with in Corduff. It seems that school numbers at Raferagh and Corcreagh national schools are some of the smallest of any parish in the whole county so it's crucial that almost everyone togs out. "We won a county underage title in 2005 and that was a good boost 'cause it makes it easier to recruit players and keep them at it when you win," Maureen explains. "But when you don't win too much, the hunger for success is probably greater and that can help too although it's very seldom you have youngsters who are lacking in enthusiasm. "It's a matter of building a winning tradition at underage level and even though we lost the under 13 and under 16 championship finals we're definitely making progress. "It was the first time ever we got to an under 16 final which is due to some very good coaching at the club and the interest among the young fellas." Rightly proud of the state-of-the-art facilities that adorns Corduff's headquarters, Maureen would love to see many more families in the area taking an interest in underage football. Looking ahead to 2008, Maureen says a greater effort will be made to try and reap a greater dividend from the number of new families that have decided to settle in Corduff. She is convinced that in the coming year(s), the club's playing numbers at under eight and under ten levels can be noticeably boosted. Mother of U16 club player Aodhan and under 12/13/14 player Conor, it's Maureen's dear wish that both her sons will progress to senior level with Corduff Gaels in the years ahead. Corduff last annexed an adult club championship title in 2002 when they beat Aughnamullen and thereafter proceeded to win the Ulster club title and she'd love to see a repeat. Reflecting on the club's 2007 season, Maureen is understandably disappointed with the way things panned out but insists that there were mitigating circumstances. She cites injuries which ruled out key players like Liam McGardle and Colm Marron for long periods during the past season which helped unhinge the team's best laid plans. "We can't afford to have any of our top players missing because the panel isn't that big and our Junior 'B' team is getting it hard to get the numbers together too." That said, for a long while during the league campaign, Corduff were nicely placed in fourth place and looking good for a semi-final berth before slipping to a mid-table position. As for the championship, Corduff availed of the backdoor system but still were unable to get a place at the table when the silverware was put up for grabs. Defeat to Monaghan Harps first time out 'gained' them entry into the last chance saloon and a win there over Sean McDermotts got them right back into the running for honours. Unfortunately that was as good as it got for the Gaels as they had to bend the knee to north Monaghan outfit Truagh Gaels. "We didn't win anything but, overall, it was a fair year for the club with the opening of the pitch probably the highlight," opines Maureen, wife of qualified club coach Noel. "Considering the team had to play all its home games at places like Donaghmoyne and Aughnamullen for almost two years, the results weren't that bad at all in that time. "It was a big boost in 2007 to be able to play all our home games in Corduff and I know the management team of Paddy Connolly, Paddy Martin and Pat Keenan were glad too. "They worked very hard, along with the players all year, at least two nights of the week right up until the middle of November - everyone put in a very good effort. "There's a fair bit of debt to be cleared on the development of the complex and ground though and we'll be hoping to get a fundraising committee set up this coming year." Formerly employed in Dublin by the Civil Service and now manageress of Aughnamullen's Social Club, Maureen says she good very good support from all the club's committees in the course of carrying out her own particular duties. She is also fulsome in her praise of the help rendered her by the county's bord na nOg committee, most notably Paul Sherry (Secretary) and Margo Sherlock (PRO). Maureen is, of course, a great fan of the Monaghan county team and she is proud of the fact that the team-manager Seamus McEnaney is a Corduff clubman. "Seamus has done a great job with Monaghan and it's great for the county the way the team has been doing over the last couple of years. "Everyone that's into GAA has been impressed by the way the team has performed and especially this year in going all the way to Croke Park in the championship. "You always get a great buzz about the club when the Monaghan team is going well and to see all the Monaghan jerseys around the area is great and something different." And the outlook? "Monaghan are good enough to win the Ulster championship in 2008, definitely. And if we can win our own championship, it would be some year!" Tweet

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