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Scotstown maintaining high standards

Scotstown's Kieran Hughes in action during the 2018 AIB Ulster Club Final against Gaoth Dobhair.

Scotstown's Kieran Hughes in action during the 2018 AIB Ulster Club Final against Gaoth Dobhair.

By Cian O'Connell

In Scotstown silverware continues to be collected, while off the field of play high standards are also being maintained.

The Monaghan club have made a significant mark throughout the decades so are eager to secure a fifth County Championship on the spin this weekend against a well regarded Clontibret outfit.

A winning culture is most certainly established in Scotstown, but the importance of developing young talent is always viewed as critical.

“Very much so, it has always been the club's policy to encourage ex players to come back to work with the younger players,” Scotstown Chairman Cormac Sherry states.

“It is important to keep that knowledge base rolling over. It is the heart and soul of the club.

“It was recognised a long time ago by the club committee that investment in juveniles was the way forward.”

Significant emphasis is placed on developing underage players in Scotstown.

Significant emphasis is placed on developing underage players in Scotstown.

So that is why Scotstown remain the standard setters in Monaghan, but Sherry still believes that further progress can be made in the coming years.

“It is typical of any club that needs to keep moving, to keep developing; the future soon becomes the past,” Sherry adds.

How the local community has helped create a thriving club with splendid facilities is a source of encouragement, but Sherry stresses how vital and fortunate Scotstown were that people with vision occupied central roles.

“The real pride is in the fact that the previous generation of administrators within the club had the foresight to actually invest and take the opportunity when the land became available to turn it into a training facility,” Sherry remarks about Scotstown training pitches.

“The complex, the gym and dressing rooms at the main pitch, the willingness of the previous generation of administrators to invest heavily, selling tickets, raising funds, to put infrastructure on the ground.”

Former GAA President Sean McCague and Ard Stiúrthóir Paraic Duffy are both key figures in the club according to Sherry, who praises the sheer hard graft of activists within Scotstown.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan with one of his predecessors Sean McCague, left, and former Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Páraic Duffy.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan with one of his predecessors Sean McCague, left, and former Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Páraic Duffy.

“It is something we are very proud of, but even at county level, and club level there are some great men around the club who have never moved beyond the boundaries of the club,” Sherry remarks.

“The club was their first home and first love, they have given 40 or 50 years service to the club. Not only with Paraic and Sean, but also countless others that have given up their time and service to volunteer.

“Their effort and foresight is how and why we are reaping the rewards going for our fifth title in a row hopefully.”

Now, though, Scotstown remain firmly focused on staying relevant. Sherry is delighted to be involved with the club, who are ready, willing, and able to develop further.

“That is it, you keep on setting goals,” Sherry replies. “When I came into the position of Chairman myself my goal was to hopefully leave the club better than when I found it.

“If everybody takes that approach in whatever position of administration the club will be in a better place. We are very fortunate we do have a dedicated bunch of people on our executive.”