JFC Round 1: It was a day of mixed emotions in Toome St. Victor’s on Sunday last. The day started well with the weather looking promising, all volunteers were in position and St. Victor’s Park was looking exceptionally well following all the work that has been completed recently. The pitch was set out, the flags flying and the players rearing to go. 

We had to bring in a substitute at very short notice to sing Amhrán na bhFiann as our singer was delayed enroute to St. Victor's Park, a very brave Éire Nic càba was asked if she would step-up to the task at hand and the Club would like to extend a very big thank you for stepping up at such short notice and a job well done.

Everyone knew that this was not going to be an easy fixture and Drumhowan were a tough and physical team on the day. Toome opened the scoring but never really looked to settle themselves in the opening 15 minutes, at the first water break Toome trailed by one point, a score of 0:03 - 0:02. After the water break Toome started to settle themselves into the game, gaining three scores without reply, Toome never looked back and just before the end of the first half Drumhowan's Liam McGuirk was issued a second yellow and was sent off the field. Half time and Toome were now a point ahead, at 0:06 - 0:05. The second half resumed and was a scrappy affair, Toome played some lovely football at times and never looked like they were in any trouble and had another 3 scores on the board to Drumhowan's 1 point reply, at the second water break of the game the score was, 0:09 - 0:06. The game took a very unfortunate turn when after the second water break of the match with about 10 minutes to go, James Wilson went up for a ball and in an unfortunate accident suffered a horrible injury. He was taken to hospital following the match by ambulance and it is reported he has suffered a dislocated ankle and two broken bones; he is hoping to undergo surgery this week. The Club and all our members wish James a full and speedy recovery. 

Cormac Quinn came on to replace the injured James Wilson and Toome went on to finish the game as deserved winners with a score line of 0:10 to 0:07.

Scorers on the day - Gary Wilson 0-2, Frank Connolly 0-4(2f), Stephen Lambe 0-2, James Wilson 0-1, Shane Moore 0-1. Subs used: 1st Half - Mark McMahon for Stephen McCooey, 2nd Half - Daniel Friskey for Matt O'Reilly, Cormac Quinn for James Wilson (Injured).

This was a Great win by the team and deserves a well done to all the players and management. The day would not have been the huge success it was without our volunteers, so a huge thanks to each and every one of our great volunteers: public address announcer, national anthem singer, stewards, COVID officer, substitute area coordinators, car parking attendants, catering, servers, cleaners, score board operator, shop workers, ticket collectors, ball retrievers, standby umpires, event coordinator, Club Chairman and Secretary and to the Drumhowan GAA and Toome Gfc supporters. Also, a big thanks to our match day sponsors and lastly a big thanks to the match officials and umpires. 

JFC Round 2: Next up is an away trip on Saturday evening 1st August to Aughnamullen at 7:00pm. Tickets will be available on Friday evening at 8:00pm from outside the community centre to Club members, anyone wishing to purchase a ticket (€10) must be there in person to pay and collect thier ticket. Please remember we only have a limited number of tickets (55no.). It may be necessary to hold a draw for tickets if demand dictates. 

Club Shop: The Club shop has been opened and is selling snacks, minerals, tea and coffee at very reasonable prices, the shop will be open for all U17 home matches and our second homer draw against Scotstown in the JFC. Please come along and support the shop.

Training: Training for our Senior team, U17s, U15s and U13 continues, please ensure that you continue the safe return to play guidelines. In ongoing efforts to facilitate the return to play all guidelines need to be followed to facilitate this safe return. It is essential that all coaches, mentors, management, committee members, senior players and the parents of underage players complete the eLearning module prior to any return to the Club. It is also essential that all coaches, mentors, management, senior players and the parents of underage players complete the Health Questionnaire, this must be resubmitted prior to each training session and match.  

Special Thanks: The Club would like to express their appreciation to Fr. Daly of Donaghmoyne for assisting Toome with hot water boilers for the match to provide refreshments to our volunteers and match officials.

We would again like to thank Damian McArdle, McArdle Carpentry & Building Contractors for the sponsorship of heras fencing to facilitate Club compliance with housing home / away benches, management and officials. This has been made available for all home games. 

U17 Division 2 Championship: The U17's (Clan na Gael) had their second match in the Maguire International Transport Division 2 Championship, on Tuesday 20th July in an away fixture against Truagh. The team turned up with just the bare minimum of players and the lads had to play with no subs. In unfortunate circumstances the goalkeeper Jamie Watters suffered an injury in the 8th minute of the game, CnG were reduced down to 12 players, Shane Kelly was moved from the forward line to the goals and the game proceeded at a great pace with some good tackling involved. At the water break Truagh led by a point to a score of 0:02 - 0:01. The lads came back after the water break and really started to find their way and with some fantastic shooting and passing of the ball they led the game at half time to a score of 1:10 - 0:06. Truagh came out strong in the second half and scored a goal and three points without reply, CnG could only score a single point and were glad to get the water break in the second half, legs were starting to tire, score 1:08 - 1:11 . The last 15 of the match and Truagh looked as if this was going to be an easy win for them. However, CnG had other ideas, with a man down and tired bodies and legs they reached to the bottom of the pit to give it their all and that is what they did. Truagh managed another couple of points and CnG got a goal and a point, a free in the last seconds of the game just went wide that would have put the sides level. Full time score CnG 2:09 - Truagh 1:13.

Hard luck lads and keep up the good team work.

Scorers on the night - Eoin (Tincer) Gorman 0-3(2f), Joey McMahon 0-4, Josh Hannon 0-1, Shane McCooey 2-0, Tom (Red) McMahon 0-1.

The Club and all our members would like to wish Jamie Watters who it has been reported suffered a fractured pelvis, a full and speedy recovery.

Hard luck to the lads as this was a great effort and playing the most of the match a man down and no substitutes, the spirit was good and they played to the bitter end. 

The team play a home fixture against Latton on Tuesday 28th July at St. Victors Park, (Notes in prior to match) no score line. The U17's play each Tuesday now with the fixtures as follows: Rd 4 away fixture 4th August 7:30pm, Emyvale, Rd 5 home fixture 11th August 7:15pm, Scotstown, Rd 6 away fixture 18th August 7:15pm, Tyholland, Rd 7 home fixture 25th August 7:15pm, Clontibret. Save these above dates and please be sure to come out and support this team.

U15 Division 3 Championship: The U15's play as Clan na Gael and started their campaign on Thursday last, 23rd July with an away fixture to Tyholland. This was a great game and CnG started at a blistering pace and had notched up a score line of 3:03 to 0:00 by the first half water break. CnG kept the pressure on and soaked up some pressure themselves from a Tyholland team that were not for lying down. HT score 3:07 - 2:00. The 2nd half continued as the first and there was some great football on display, both teams gave it their all and there was some great work done by the CnG backs, who in turn assisted both the midfield and forward line to place another couple of scores, with 5 minutes to go it was very tense affair and only a single point in it, the game at this stage could have gone either way, CnG worked hard and stopped would looked to be a promising attack by Tyholland with about 2 minutes left and went up the field to slot one over the bar. This gave them a very slight cushion and they absorbed any pressure till the whistle. FT Score CnG 5:08 Tyholland 5:06. Scorers on the night -Josh Hannon 3-02, Stephen Kelly 2-00, Cathal McCooey 0-02, Glen Forde 0-03,  Dylan Watters 0-01. Well done lads and good luck this week.

The U15's continue their campaign this Thursday night with a home fixture (Oram) against St Mary Na Mullai at 7:30pm. Please be sure to come along and show your support for this great team of young players.

U15s will continue to play each Thursday evening with the fixtures as follows: Rd 3 away fixture 6th August 7:30pm, Inniskeen, Rd 4 home fixture 13th August 7:15pm, Aughnamullen, Rd 5away fixture 20th August 7:15pm, Doohamlet, Rd 6 home fixture 27th August 7:15pm, Sean McDermotts, Rd 7 home fixture 3rd September, Latton. Save these above dates and please be sure to come out and support this team.

U13 Division 2 Championship: Our U13's play as Oram and had their second game on Saturday last, 25th July with an away fixture against a strong Magheracloone side. This was a tough game and the lads gave it their all, however it was not to be on the day. Final score Oram 1:06 - Magheracloone 1:08, The next game is home fixture to Emyvale, this will be another tight contest so please ensure you get out and support the team, throw in is at 12:00pm.

Junior Championship: It is essential that all members wishing to attend games are familiar with current regulations surrounding match attendance. Attendance to matches is limited to a total of 200 persons within St Victors. This includes players, officials, stewards so places will be limited. Please keep the following dates in your diary: Rd 3 is a Bye, Rd 4 home fixture against Scotstown (Saturday 15th August), Rd 5 away fixture against Clones (Sunday 23rd August).

Match Day Assistance: In order for our home games to run smoothly it is essential that we have as much help as possible on the day. If you could help with parking, match day steward, turn style operator, shop assistance, umpire, linesman or in any way possible then please contact Club Secretary, Leo McGinn on 085 804 9245.

Sponsorship: The Club would like to thank the follow companies for their continued support of our Club and for the sponsorship of our JFC game against Drumhowan, Sunday last 26th July. These sponsors continue to support the Club and have pledged sponsorship for the Scotstown match (Saturday 15th August). A.W. Ennis Erin Farm Feeds, Broomfield Construction, Castleblayney Credit Union, Meegan Builders, O'Neill Tractors and Tusker Construction Group. Anyone wishing to sponsor our JFC games please contact either Vice-Club Chairman, Damian O'Reilly on 087 125 2126 or any committee member, this is a great way of fundraising for the Club and promoting a business or individual service. 

Astro Pitch: Our astro pitches are available to hire once again, we have 3no. 5-a-side pitches, unfortunately at this time we are unable to offer the whole astro park due to COVID-19 and will only be facilitating the hire of 5-a-side pitches. If you would like to make a booking please contact John on 085 786 4106, owing to COVID-19 we are unable to provide bibs so please bring your own or make suitable arrangements, it would also be best practice to bring your own ball and hand sanitiser.

Volunteers: The response from players, members and the local community just keeps on amazing everyone, volunteers are giving up their spare time and sometimes late into the night, to complete essential works throughout the grounds. Many people have contributed to the transformation of St Victors over the past few months and this really has been a team effort by each and every one of these volunteers. We have had a response from our senior panel, U17's and U15's, Club members and the committee to give up their time to complete many tasks around St. Victors. If you can spare any amount of time at all please get in touch with either Club Chairman, Gene Comiskey on 087 918 6629 or Club Secretary, Leo McGinn on 085 804 9245. 

Underage Players: Training continues for all our competitive underage groups U13's (Wednesday and Saturday in Oram), U15's (Monday's 7-8pm in Oram) and U17's (Monday and Wednesday 8-9pm in Toome), please contact coaches for times and days as these may vary. We are monitoring government, HSE and Croke Park guidelines and are hoping to have our younger footballers back to training very soon and will contact parents to notify. We ask that parents and these young players remain active and stay positive throughout this worrying time and look forward to welcoming you all back soon.

Membership: If you have not been able to pay Club membership due to the COVID-19 lockdown, please contact any committee member to facilitate payment, Dermot Reavy is the Club registrar. Please remember membership is very important and is required to cover player injury scheme payment and registration of our teams. The Club would like to thank all those who have reached out and paid membership in recent weeks.
News: If you have any news to be included in the Club notes please get in touch through social media or via any committee member. 

Tweet

Most Read Stories