* When bumping into some of our senior players last Friday and talking of Kilmacud, they were out to win the coveted All-Ireland Sevens title. So when in the end you reach the Final there can only be one team you want to play. On Twitter it was described as one of the oldest rivalries in Down Football. For most in both camps the Town and the Ford it is the only rivalry. We have never meet in a County Final so when on Saturday both qualified for the Final it had everyone who was not there glued into Twitter, Facebook, on their mobile phones and texting all asunder. Our oldest of rivals won out in a close and entertaining encounter by 1-15 to 2-11 and thus took all the plaudits on the day. The Town had won their group with victories over Bray Emmett’s, Ballaghadereen and Erins Own Cargin. Up next for the Town was St Galls the reigning All Ireland Sevens Champions. It was a game The Town won comfortably in the end by 3-10 to 0-06 and thus set up a semi final with Eoghan Rua Coleraine. For many observers this was the team to beat as they had been playing well up to the semi-final. At half time they lead the Town by 1-07 to 0-05. The Town second half performance blew them away limiting them to just a solitary score. The Town put a further 2-06 on the board to win out by 2-11 to 1-08. Bryansford were ploughing their own furrow and in their semi final came up against Longstone whom they defeated by 2 points. And so it was all set up for another All-Down Final with the Town having previously competed in one against Longstone in 2006. A one point game at half time with the Town leading the way it was always going to be tight. In the end it was the Ford’s day and congratulations to them. We are proud of the efforts of our lads indeed the endeavours of our whole senior panel this year. The squad on Saturday was Colm Og Crilly, Cahal Crilly, Barry Travers, Daniel Morgan, Fintan McGreevy, Kevin Duffin, Colm Flanagan, Aidan Burns, Damien McGrady and Donal McKibben.
* Congratulations to the Under 14 Girls who won the Championship Final on Sunday with a 15 point victory over Bredagh in Downpatrick. This is the culmination of hard work all season by the girls and they deserve all the plaudits. Well done to the girls and their hard working coaches.
* Castlewellan GAC have launched their Annual Draw to raise much need Club funds. The draws will take place on 01 October, 05 November and 03 December. We ask all club members to support us in this venture. The tickets are priced at £60. Once again we thank all of you for your continuing support.
* There is a saying that age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. The annual slaughter of the innocence took place in the form of the veteran club hurlers against the youngsters at the weekend. You could say a mini Kilkenny v Tipperary. The game was once again refereed by “Fish Supper” Cairns. This is a reference to his favoured form of bribe in order to settle the contest. What highlights this was old man Aidan Rodgers ability to score 1-02 on the day. I mean how on earth could this have happened otherwise? Martin “Budgie Cage” Keown seemed to score at will also. This may have something to do with selection favours for the Monday Night game with Bredagh. It is not good to upset the boss. Cahal Og young legs were too much for his older colleagues as he waltzed through them at will. Further out field Paul “I’ll go on forever” McCabe outpaced the younger hurlers. Young Jason’s pulling power counted for nothing this week as the veterans took him out of the game time after time. A good afternoon’s hurling followed by some food and drink in the club afterwards in what was a great afternoons fun for all. Final Score The Vets 4-13 The Kids 5-08.
* Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 Camogie training in the Meadow has now finished for the winter. Thank you to all our coaches who worked hard with the girls all year and for the effort the young ladies have put in also.
* The Castlewellan GAC Running Club continue with their runs on Tuesday and Thursday nights meeting at the club at 6.45pm to commence running at 7.00pm.
* Under 6 and Under 8 football continues on Tuesday at 6.15pm in Meadow and at 6.15pm on Thursday for the Hurling for the same age groups
* Under age coaching continues in The Meadow for Hurling and Football every Saturday Morning at the usual times of 10.00am for Hurling and 11.00am for Football.
* The Under 14 and Under 16 Camogie training continues on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The Under 12 Camogie training is on Tuesdays at 6.30pm.
* The Under 14 and Under 16 girls football training is on Wednesdays and Friday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
