Castlewellan GAC
* The Town Senior Footballers continued their unbeaten run in the League on Friday Night past with a 2-16 to 0-08 win against Ballymartin. Good to see Rory Burns make his Senior debut with a run out in the last 20 minutes. A satisfying performance from the Town as the lads continue their attempt to get back to Division 1 football.
* Jim Burns has taken over as the Senior Ladies Team Manager. The Executive Committee wish Jim and his Team all the best for the rest of the year. His first match in charge was away to Carryduff. They lost by a solitary point by 3-11 to 2-13. This was largely the same team who fell heavily to Carryduff earlier in the campaign. The introduction of some of the younger players allied with the more experienced players is starting to gel well. Good performances from Noleen O’Higgins and Deborah Neeson ably assisted by Aoife Keown and Saoirse Steele.
* The Town Thirds sadly exited the Down RFC on Sunday Night. They lost to Glassdrumman in St Malachys Park by the narrowest of margins losing 2-11 to 2-10. The game was dominated by the remarkable performance of the 49 year old Michael Hawkins making his comeback following on from his performance for the “older guys” a fortnight ago. His managers were quick to praise him for his “athleticism and great calm in a virtuoso performance which lasted… well several minutes! After having scored a great point and used up all his energy very quickly Michael took the wise decision of retiring to the goalkeeping position. All joking aside great to see you playing Mick having skinned some of the younger fellas for pace during training last week. You have inspired big Rory who is itching to start next week. What have you started Michael!
* Having qualified for the U12 ‘A’ League, Castlewellan U12’s travelled to near neighbours Bryansford in the opening match last Sunday and won 2-7 to 2-3 in an entertaining game of football played in wet conditions. Bryansford started well with an early goal but 3 points from James McAleenan and a further 2 points from Matthew Carville and Adam Garland saw the game level at half time. The second half was end to end football with Sean Keown, Daniel Cunningham and Callum McKibben having great games in defence. Ruairi McGuinness scored a well worked goal early in the second half and finished another great move to the net with minutes remaining to leave 4 points between the sides at the finish. In the second game, Castlewellan won 4-1 to 1-3 with 2 goals from Ruairi McGuinness, one goal from Mark Rice, and Brian Brannigan completing the scoring with a goal and a point. Team – first match: Cahal Caldwell, Daniel Cunningham, Adam McAleese, Callum McKibben, Matthew Muldoon, Adam Garland (0-1), Matthew Carville(0-2), Sean Keown, James McAleenan (0-4), Conor Keenan, Ruairi McGuinness(2-0). Team – second match: Jordan Valentine, Cleveland Boyle, Eoin Maginn, Daire McVeigh, Dara Fitzpatrick, Ethan Aulds, Callum McCabe, Mark Rice(1-0), Brian Brannigan(1-1), Ruairi McGuinness (2-0).
* The Castlewellan Under 12 Girls finally had their first outing of the year against neighbours Kilcoo. They ran out winners in a thoroughly entertaining game where there was splendid football by both sides. The final score 8-09 to 5-03 to the Town. Great performances from Michaela Rodger who put in a player of the match performance assisted by Nadine McAleenan (3-0), Kirsty Brannigan (2-0), Caoimhe Moorhead (1-0), Ashleen Hawkins (1-0) and Sorcha MCartan (1-0). Good performances also from Rebecca Toner, Jessica, Jade Hammond, Jade Casement, Niamh Ward, Bria McKee and Erin McVeigh. Lawrence and Sarah are very pleased with the performance the girls put in. The girls are wisely listening to their coaches.
* Castlewellan headed to Ballycran for the third under 6/8 Hurling blitz of the year on Saturday and all our young hurlers excelled. The under 6 hurling team were on top in all their games and didn’t concede a goal. Both under 8 teams hurled well and more than held their own against the Portaferry, Ballygalget, Ballycran and Carryduff. Training continues on Thursdays at 6.15 and Saturday morning 10am. Many thanks to all the parents who turned out in great numbers to support the young hurlers. Well done to Darragh Cluskey, Donncha Keary, Luke McCabe, Tiarnan Gallagher, Cillian Morgan, Conor McVeigh, Sé Connolly, Sé Stratton, Nathan Garland, Martin Steele, Tieran Doran, Nathan Owens, Jack McMurrough, Ciaran Lowey, Ruairí King, Jack Maginn, Tiernan Connolly, Alex McAlinden, Matthew McCabe, Dara Rodgers, Liam O Neill, Brian King, Jay Dornan and Evan Kelly.
* In the McFarland Cup Ulster Colleges Year 10 Hurling, Club members will be on opposing sides on Wednesday at Páirc Esler (1pm) when St Patrick’s Downpatrick oppose first time finalists St Colman’s Newry. Sean Hardy and Jake Carville line out for the red high while Joseph Cunningham plays for the Violet Hill Team coached by Aidan Rodgers. Good luck to all!
* The Senior Camogie Team will play Ballela this Wednesday night in the Town at 7.30pm. The Camogs had no match last week as their opposition Newry Shamrocks were unable to field a team.
