* This Sunday will see the Down Under 16 Camogie Final in Clonduff at 1.30pm between Castlewellan and Liatriom Fontenoys. Irrespective of the outcome of Sundays match congratulations to the girls, mentors and coaches who have done so much work to get to this point. The girls need all parents, families and friends and the club membership to come out and support them on Sunday on what will be a very big occasion for the club. Good luck to the girls. You have done your club proud and keep her lit! Well done to all those who attended and supported the Afternoon Cup Cakes sale to raise some funds in the Club. The girls raised cash for their championship and league finals coming up and were able to fund playing gear and tops for the occasion. All the girls were there in support of the event. A special thank you to Northern Switchgear, Newcastle Bus Hire, Murdock Coal & Oil, McNabb Waste and Finnegan’s Butchers who all contributed to the day and provided support towards the funds the girls have raised. The contribution of the local business community is very much appreciated.
* The under 16 girls will play Carryduff in the preliminary round of the football championship at Carryduff next Tuesday night. Good luck to the girls who open their defence of that title
* The Town Seniors fell short against Kilcoo by three points last Friday night at Owen Roe Park. The game was the usual tough affair with Kilcoo with the hosts just coming out on top on this occasion.
* In the opening credits of the James Bond film of the same name Nancy Sinatra sang “You Only Live Twice”. The Minor footballers who were playing Loughinisland last Saturday afternoon in Kilcoo were staring down the barrel of defeat with a place in the Minor Championship Semi-Final slipping away when in the last minute of injury time Matthew Stratton popped up to slot over the equalising score. That score give Castlewellan Minors a second life and still a foot in this year’s Championship. Loughinisland were always going to be formidable opposition and they certainly justified their favourites tag. The Town had held the early initiative and indeed a well taken goal early on by Rory Burns give the Town a definite edge. Loughinisland came roaring back with a goal of their own when a defensive error sent the ball squirming over the line. Earlier heroics in the goalmouth by Gerard Keown in the Town nets could not prevent the green flag being raised. The game went to and fro with The Town just holding the edge. Just before the break a Sean Dornan 45’ was palmed out by the Loughinisland keeper only for Rory Burns to rush in to claim another three-pointer. This sent The Town in at the break with a five point advantage but facing a strong wind in the second half. The turning point was indeed the very start of the second half. A high tackle on the back of the neck on Rory Burns resulted in him having to leave the field of play. Conal Crilly slotted over the resultant free. From this point on for the remainder of the half Loughinisland played with much more confidence, skill and domination. They clawed back the lead from the Town. Indeed the Town conceded a penalty which was slotted home by Rory Mason to give Loughinisland the lead for the first time in the game. The Town literally clung on from this point with ball being turned over from each side time and time again. Indeed from a turn over The Town won the ball and Matthew Stratton’s very late effort give us another life and another day out. This was not a great performance from the lads. They will know that themselves. If they are to stand a chance the next day out then up the performance they must. All in all it was a good hard sporting contest between two teams who really want to progress in this year’s championship.
* If ever you look on those social networking sites and you have set up a profile then you can check people you have made friends with and when their birthday is. A certain County Referee (mentioning no names of course) informs this column that this particular person whose details you will not find shares the same name of a famous former Arsenal soccer player. This name has 21 profiles on a social networking site. None of them our club member! But anyway Hurling Coach and Legend Martin Keown was 50 this week. Many happy returns to you sir. You will always be older than me Marty!
* Thank you to all the coaches who attended or sent apologies on Friday night last for the Coaches meeting. The juvenile sponsored walk (Under 6 to Under 18) will take place on Sunday September 16th at 1pm (be prepared in case of bad weather). We would ask as many parents as possible to take part. Proceeds will go towards club funds and a nominated charity. Please ensure you get your sponsorship card from the team coach.
* The Clothes Collection is still on-going. Please donate any clothing items you do not require to this! Please leave all bags of clothes with Noreen Keown.
* The running club members meet at the Club on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings for a run. They will leave the club at 7.00pm. All ages, genders and abilities are welcome.
