McMahons Supervalu 5K: The time has finally arrived, after weeks of preparation the Club are all set to hold the McMahons Supervalu 5K on Sunday at 2pm.The last few weeks has seen lots of people running up and down the Monaghan road in an effort to get themselves fit to compete in the 5K. We are anticipating a good crowd on the day and are calling on every club member to play their part in one of the best days in Castleblayney. This year our special guest is current Irish 800 metre record holder David Matthews, he will be joined once again by Gerry Duffy from 32 Marathons in 32 days and local Athlete Tony Ward. The McMahons Supervalu 5K has been highlighted at a National Level as been a great example of how a GAA Club can have such a positive effect on the local community. You can register to walk or run on the day by logging onto www.castleblayneyfaughs.com or www.runireland.com or you can give your money to any committee member.
Operation TransFAUGHSmation: Sadly this week we reach the end of this year’s programme, last Friday night saw us finish in style with Michael “Chang” McKenna took the group through a tough session. This year has been yet another unbelievable success, with the effort by all participants and coaches been exceptional, the programme just seems to get better every year. The Club would like to thank everyone involved from participants to coaches to the organising committee who have put in an unbelievable effort into making the twelve weeks such a success. We have two major hurdles to cross before we can pull down the curtain on this year programme, on Sunday we have the McMahons Supervalu 5K which has been everyone target, weather you walk, run or crawl the event, crossing that finish line is such a huge achievement for everyone. Friday the 4th of December is the OPTFM awards night which takes place in the Spinning Wheel from 9pm, this is the perfect opportunity to go out and let your hair down after all the hard work and is always a brilliant night. Remember everyone enjoy Sunday you have done a great job just to get to the start of the race never mind finishing the 5K, be proud of yourselves. Finally we are asking all transFAUGHSmationers and club members to help us out on Sunday by bringing some sandwiches, cakes or buns to the Glencarn before 1pm as last year we had approximately 1000 people sat down after the race which is a lot of eating.
Faughs Juvenile Winter Programme: Thursday night sees the end of the this block of training, we have seen huge numbers attending but more importantly have seen huge improvements in the skills and attitude of our young players. We would like to thank you the parents for your continued support right throughout the year and our coaches who give up the significant personal time required to provide such a brilliant environment for our children to learn. Training will return in early 2016, so let’s keep practicing so we insure we have many great Green and Gold days ahead of us all.
Dermot Earley Leadership Awards: On Saturday Shauna Cogan received her Dermot Earley Leadership Certificate. The initiative which runs over three modules between September 2015 and May 2016 involves 30 hours of workshops designed to develop the leadership skills that Dermot Earley epitomised on and off the field. 30 hours of self-directed learning is also required before the participants put their enhanced leadership skills into action through a club or community-based action project. Those who complete all three modules will have an option to graduate from NUIG with a Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action. Well done Shauna, another great achievement
Ulster Colleges Ladies All -Stars Awards: Congratulations to Orlaith Maguire on winning an Ulster Colleges Ladies All Star Award last week. Orlaith was selected by the school to attend an initial trial in Cookstown where 110 girls from around Ulster attended. She impressed the selectors present and was invited back to the second trial on the 18th November that was attended by 60 players from across the province. Orlaith Maguire who plays at centre back or midfield for the Faughs Minor team was selected at corner back; indeed Our Lady’s received four All Stars awards with Muireann Atkinson, Eimear Finnegan and Celine Nally also on the Colleges All Star team. Well done Orlaith let’s hope you can push on and win a Senior Inter county All Star over the next few years.
Best of Luck: The Club would like to wish our old friends Scotstown all the best in the Ulster Club Senior Final when they take on Crossmaglen Rangers in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh this Sunday at 3.30pm. Hopefully Rockcorry can get the day off to a good start for Monaghan by winning the Junior Final which precedes the senior game, best of luck to both Clubs.
Well done: This week’s well done goes out to Scoil Mhuire na mBuchaillí who registered over 70 Boys for the 5K together along with a further seven staff members. We would like to say a huge thank you to the teachers who undertook to organise the registration process and for training the boys each Monday. Think the Boys School could be front runners for the fastest club prize. Well done to all.