The club would like to wish all our followers a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Here's hoping 2013 will see some silverware return to Moneygall once again. A special happy Christmas is extended to all our club members abroad at this time of year. To those in America, Australia, Canada and elsewhere enjoy!

Charity Fundraiser:  Moneygall GAA in association with our other local clubs and organisations will host a charity fundraiser fancy dress football match in St. Flannan’s Park on St. Stephen’s Day at 11am.  All funds raised will go to the National Council for the Blind.  Donations can be made on the day, or can be given to any committee member over the Christmas period, and all contributions will be gratefully accepted.  Soup and sandwiches will be served in Ollie’s Bar after the match.  We encourage all our parishioners and those who are home for Christmas to come out and show your support.

Lotto:  As next Tuesday is Christmas Day, our lotto draw will instead take place on Thursday 27th in Delaney’s Bar.  The Week 3 Christmas draw prize winners were: Turkey – Jody Troy, Cullenwaine; Ham – Conor Ryan, Drombaun; Whiskey – Philip Larkin, Moneygall; Red Wine – PJ Madden, Lisduff; White Wine – Bridget Whelan, c/o Noel Ryan; Sweets – Nell Crowley, Loughaun; Biscuits – Robert Guest, Loughaun.

Scór na bPáistí:  The Scór na bPáistí AGM will be held in the GAA Centre this Wednesday night (19th) at 7.30pm.  Parents are invited to attend who are interested in getting involved, or if their child would like to take part in any of the following: solo song, ballad group, instrumental music, novelty act, set dancing, figure dancing, question time, or recitation.

Nollaig Shona: Our sincere thanks go to all our members and parishioners for your support of the club in all ways during the past twelve months.  We wish everyone a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2013.

Lotto: Our club lotto draw returns to the Dunkerrin Arms this Tuesday night where the jackpot stands at €11,300 and the third Christmas draw will also be held.  The Week 2 Christmas draw prize winners were: Turkey – Carroll family, Cloneganna; Ham – Tim Gleeson, Moneygall; Whiskey – Marian Burriss, Emill; Red Wine – Jim Collison, Moneygall; White Wine – Tom Sheehan, Dunkerrin; Sweets – John Maher, Ballyrihy; Biscuits – John Feehan, Carrick, Roscrea.  Our final Christmas lotto will take place on Tuesday 18th in Julia’s.

Dan Breen Cup Book: Jim Fogarty’s book ‘The Dan Breen Cup – Tipperary County SH Finals 1931 – 2011’ tells the story of all the county senior hurling finals since the Dan Breen Cup was first presented in 1931, the year that six Moneygall men – Malachy Collison, Major Collison, Jack Kennedy, Tom Gleeson, Tom Byrne and Paddy Guilfoyle – won county medals.  The book also features the victorious Moneygall teams of 1975 and 1976 and is filled with match reports, photographs and statistics.  It is available to purchase at Byrne’s Shop in Dunkerrin.

10 Years Ago: Moneygall’s last championship success at minor level came in 2002 when Michael Bergin captained the team to the north and county minor B hurling titles.  Following a 2-11 to 2-6 north final win against Borris-Ileigh, we beat Clonoulty-Rossmore in the county semi final by 2-4 to 0-8 before defeating Carrick Davins in the county final in Semple Stadium on a scoreline of 2-9 to 2-6.  The team that lined out in the county final was: Rory Tierney; Ruairi Meagher, Sean Ryan, Brian Delaney; Ger Moten, Bill Whyte, Pajo Troy; Michael Bergin, Paraic Whyte; Ger Kirwan, Philip Byrne, Eoghan Ryan; Billy Hayes, Joe Treacy, Tommy Devereux.  Subs:  Padraig Doughan, Darragh Hayes, Darren Whyte, Stephen Maher, Phil Fanning, Robert Burns, John King.

Clonakenny/Moneygall will take on Thurles Sarsfields in the semi-final of the Mid U21 A Hurling Championship this Saturday afternoon, 1st December, in Templemore.  Throw-in time is fixed for 2pm.

In their first round matches, Clonakenny/Moneygall beat Moyne Templetuohy Og by 7-11 to 1-9 on 7th October, while Sarsfields recorded a 3-32 to 2-5 win over Drom Inch back on St. Patrick's Day.

The winners will play Loughmore Castleiney in the mid final.

Presentation Night: Fifty years ago Moneygall won the North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling title, and to mark the occasion a presentation night will be held in Delaney’s Bar in Dunkerrin this Saturday night at 9pm.  We hope to have all of the 1962 panel represented on the night.  Refreshments and traditional music will add to the occasion and all are welcome to come along to what promises to be an enjoyable event.

Juvenile AGM: The juvenile club AGM will be held in the GAA Centre on Monday 17th December.  All parents are invited to attend and we also encourage anybody who would be interested in getting involved with any of the underage teams to come along on the night.

Fitness Classes: The kettle bells exercise class continues in the main hall of the GAA Centre every Tuesday evening at 8pm.  The classes are led by instructor Kenny McDonald and are open to all members of the public at a cost of €7 per night.

We held our AGM in the GAA Centre on Friday night, 23rd November.  The club’s activity throughout 2012 was recounted in detail by secretary Kevin Maher who presented Cúntas an Rúnaí, and treasurer Pat Murray who delivered a comprehensive financial report.

In his chairman’s address, Darragh Hayes firstly thanked everyone who had given him support or advice during his first year in the role.  He was especially thankful to the secretary and treasurer, the mentors involved with all our club teams, and the lotto committee, for all their time and hard work that they have given this year.  He also thanked our main sponsors Doherty Hardware, our lotto promoters throughout the parish, the local teachers, and everyone who supported our fundraisers and lotto draw.

Then followed the election of officers for 2013, and the debating of a number of motions that were up for discussion.  Before closing the meeting the chairman expressed sympathy with all our parishioners who have suffered bereavements in their families in the last 12 months.

Club Officers for 2013:

Presidents: Joe Donnelly, Tim Liffey, Gerry Maher. 
Chairman: Darragh Hayes. 
Vice-Chairman: Liam Greene. 
Secretary: Kevin Maher. 
Treasurer: Pat Murray. 
Registrars: Padhraic Greene, Willie Jones. 
Development Officer: Martin Deane. 
PRO: Conor Ryan. 
Social Media Officer: Willie Greene. 
Cultural Officer: Pat Sheedy. 
Board Delegate: Jimmy Kirwan. 
Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Officer: Willie Jones. 
Schools Liaison Officer: Paddy Whyte. 

The above will be joined on the club committee by Paddy Connors, Ollie Hayes, Diarmuid Kennedy, Pat Kirwan, Jimmy Maher, Paul O’Brien, Eugene Ryan, Seamus Ryan, Timmy Sutton, two representatives from the juvenile committee, and one player’s repesentative. 

Senior Hurling Selectors: Hughie Hannon, Paddy Whyte, Diarmuid Kennedy.