Congratulations on a great finish and a win by the footballers from Truagh Gaels: on now to the All-Ireland Intermediate Club final in Croke Park on February 9th. Hard luck also to Emyvale GAA footballers  who lost by a single point against Twomilehouse from County Kildare. An interesting name for the opponents as there is a Threemilehouse in North Monaghan! Coverage of both matches with plenty of photographs can be found on Peadar MacMahon’s website emyvale.net.

No doubt there were plenty of divided loyalties in various families in the two neighbouring parishes. Emyvale is in the parish of Donagh, which stretches from Knocknagrave across to Edenmore (Tommie Bowe’s former school), the Blue Bridge at Inishdevlin, Emyvale and across to Glennan chapel and Glaslough. It also includes Corracrin opposite Anketell Grove on the main Dublin to Derry N2 road, where St Patrick’s chapel is located. Knockronaghan on the other side of the main road is also included. The McCarron family has connections both in Knocknagrave (original homestead) and Knockronaghan.

Heading out of Emyvale towards the border at Moybridge along the N2 main road, you pass the Silver Hill duck processing plant. Among the local groups they sponsor is Truagh Gaels GAA Club, whose clubhouse and pitch is further along the road. Red and black flags are flying outside many houses and on telephone poles. Errigal Truagh parish includes Clara, Carrickroe and Ballyoisin, where there are chapels. The latter is just off the main road on the right hand side heading towards Aughnacloy, before Moybridge. Beside the chapel there is a vibrant community centre and a national school.