* Last weekend saw the Irish Universities Boat Championship on Castlewellan Lake. It is a sport which requires all in the boat to pull together to get the maximum out of the team and hence a smooth running and winning boat. The senior footballers’ performance last Friday night was similar to that effort required in the boats. The Town worked their socks off against a Clonduff side who had won their opening two games against Burren and Longstone. The town rattled off four points in the first five minutes of the game. This acted as a cushion as the Town always stayed in front with point for point action after this maintaining the distant between ourselves and our hosts. Clonduff did hit the first three points of the second half to close the gap to two points. A point then a goal from Aidan Burns pulled the Town away again to help us record a deserved 6 point victory in what is usually not a good hunting ground for The Town.
* During the half time break of the senior match on Friday night in Hilltown a P3 & P4 Castlewellan team took on Clonduff in a challenge match. The match ended with the young footballer’s of Castlewellan coming out of top. Great skills and plenty of effort from both sets of players. Castlewellan and Clonduff can be proud of the efforts of the stars of tomorrow.
* On Saturday we hosted an under 8 and under 10 football blitz in the Meadow. Both Castlewellan team’s competed well against the opposing teams of Darragh Cross and Drumaness. There was a good turnout of parents and supporters from both teams. We would like to thank them for their support and hope you will continue to come along.
* Football. Training continue’s in the Meadow on Tuesday night for football and Thursday night for the underage hurling.
* There will be an Under 10 Hurling Blitz this Saturday in Warrenpoint. All players should be at the Club for12.00pm where transport will be provided.
* The Club will be open every Saturday morning for the duration of the underage coaching from 10.00am to 12.00pm. Eileen and Sheila will be there to take orders for club gear which will be on show. You are required to leave a small deposit of £5.00 for any orders placed. We encourage all the parents of all our young players to come along and support the kids and their coaches. You never know you may get a cup of tea and a sandwich. That’s enough to get the PRO attending!
* The Under 12 team continued on from last week’s great win in Carryduff with a good win against St Johns at home on Sunday. It would be unfair to pick out any player for special praise but it is suffice to say the 7-14 to 0-05 score line pleased the players, coaches and supporters/parents.
* The U-14 footballers travelled to St.Pauls on Monday night for a tough league encounter. It was the Town lads that started the brightest putting 3 points on the board without reply before the physically stronger St.Pauls began to accert their authority. The Town where then forced into an early change when the influential James McAleenan had to come off due to injury. Indeed it was McAleenan that was at the centre of everything good the Town did early in the game and his loss was a blow for the team. The lads battled hard in what proved to be a difficult evening, eventually going down to a heavy defeat. Best for the Town was Jordan Valentine, Ronan Barr and Cathal Caldwell.
* The Minor footballers had another disappointing defeat away to Loughinisland last Tuesday night. This was a game full of would of, could of, should of. The margin was one point. A lot of lessons learned in this game where our host deserved their victory. Next game at home Rostrevor is one that we must up our performance.
* The Under 16 Camogie squad had a good win way to Warrenpoint last Tuesday night with great performances all round. The Junior Camogie team fell to Ballygalget during the week also. A few injuries sustained on the night so we wish all those afflicted and quick recovery. Down Minor Camogs will play Kerry this Saturday in the All-Ireland Final. On behalf of the Executive Committee and members, we wish Aoife, Anna, Ciara and Claire all our best wishes as they go for their second set of All-Ireland medals. The best of luck to the town girls and the team.
* Training for the Under 12 Girls footballers will take place at 5.00pm on Wednesday at the Club.
* We will be organising a hurling nursery beginner’s training session starting Thursday 3rd May from 5.30 to 6.15 in the Meadow. Equipment will be provided. The session is aimed at children from Nursery age to P2.
* Under 8 & Under 10 hurling training is in St Malachy’s Park at 6.15 on Thursday.
* The Under 12 Football boys training continues in St Malachy’s Park this Friday evening at 5.00pm. Full attendance is required from all the lads.
* Ladies under age football continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at the Bann Road.
* Training continues at the Bann Road Complex on Wednesday evening from 5.30pm for under 14 and under 16 Camogs and at 6.30pm to 7.30pm for the junior Camogs. Training for Under 14, Under 16 and Minor Camogs will commence this Friday at 5.30pm at the Bann Road.
