Castlewellan GAC Weekly Notes

* Activ8 – A Community in Motion! A video as part of the presentation at the Graduation Night on Saturday past typified what it was all about. This was of a Set Dancing Class run by Sharon McCauley – Breen. What you saw was fun smiling faces, laughing, camaraderie and an odd silly hat! (Oonagh). Everyone will testify to it that is was fun even if there were a few stresses and strains along the way. Some saw the top of Slieve Donard for the first time. Some didn’t realise that in the space of one hour they could cycle 9 miles without thinking about it. Above all the making of new friends and reacquainting with some old faces. Activ8 brought together people who possibly had not met before or you only nodded at to say hello. To be honest I am probably talking about myself but I am sure there is some truth in it. We are a growing Town and it is important that we extend a welcoming hand to all that reside here. Activ8 did that. It brought in people with new skills to us. The Yoga class and thanks to Linda for making us all realise there are more muscles hidden in our bodies than we knew! Tai Chi which was expertly instructed by Richard McCabe, the skills our club coaches have that parents may not have realised. In the end there was a competitive edge to it. The final points to be won on the night were in the form of a quiz and “The Plank”. A team member had to hold a medicine ball out straight-armed for as long as they could whilst their team answered as many ‘who am I’ quiz questions as they could before the medicine ball was dropped. There were some valiant efforts to keep the ball from dropping and pain all around for those male members who were volunteered to be the Charles Atlas for this quiz! “The Plank” challenge was where a member of each team tried to keep the position for as long as possible. This went on for over four minutes with Anne Rooney and Michael McKibben where the last to collapse in unison. The top three participants were in reverse order Michael McKibben, Linda Rogan and out in front was Linda McCauley – Breen. The top team was Team Orange who gave it a real go to land the Top Participating Team prize. Thank you to all the participants and activity leaders. You made it the success it was. Finally thank you to Ronan King and to Lorna Cunningham for all their work to make this initiative work. Without their drive and inspiration it would not have been the success it was. There may be some random events throughout the year. Please let us know what your ideas are so we can look at continuing this initiative.

* Camogie had its first game of theseason for Castlewellan on Tuesday of last week with the under 14s. Theyentertained Ballyholland on a lovely dry but cold afternoon at the Bann Road.The Town girls were quick off the mark with Jade Hammond driving from midfieldand connecting with Aisling Hawkins who was on form to score the first of hermany goals. Great play from the midfielders put Ballyholland under pressurefrom the puck out and within ten minutes the town girls had scored another 4goals and a point without reply. The half forward line of Sorcha McCartan, TaraMcVeigh and Shannon Valentine worked hard to put good balls into AislingHawkins, Oonagh Rice and Caitlin Rushe who worked hard to score some tremendousgoals. The midfield duo of Jade Hammond and Eirann McVeigh covered a lot ofground and tackled hard allowing no Ballyholland girl a free shot they wereably backed up by the half back line of Laoise Keaveney Amy Barr and Emma Croskery.These young ladies tackled relentlessly and did not allow Ballyholland tosettle. But player of the match Becky Toner was immense she covered ground andread the game better than any senior player. She had great back up by Emma RiceMichelle Gallagher and Eimear Rice who worked hard to keep their forwards toonly two goals in the first half to compared with Castlewellan’s 7 goals. It wasdifficult for the girls to keep the momentum going but they held on to win bytwo goals well done girls first match over and a win.

* The under 12 Camog’s travelledto Ballycran on Saturday for their first outing of the year. The girls playedwell against some strong opposition in Aghaderg and Newry, but had a good winagainst Longstone. Well done to the girls; Molly, Aine, Kari, Holly, Eimear,Aislinn, Molly and Beth. A reminder that training is now moved to 6.30pm onWednesday evenings in St Malachy’s Primary School.

* A young Under 12 Castlewellan team played Dromara in St Malachy’s Park on Sunday. The lads werenarrowly beaten but some of the play particularly in the second half showed Roryand the rest of the Under 12 management team that there is the potential aheadfor a successful season. Keep it up lads. A special mention to the fouryoungest members of the team whom made their debuts for the Under 12 team -Alex McAlinden, Dara Rodgers, Marty Steele (whom scored a great point) andTiernan Connolly.

* There was afantastic turnout to the Easter Tuesday Family Fun Day with a treasure trailaround the lake followed by a quiz and Rounders at the club. The weather heldwell and a great day was had by all. There was a raffle held with all proceeds going toPIPS. Thank you to everyone whom assisted in making the day a greatsuccess. Thank you to all the parents for their support and help andmainly to all the children who made it what it was a fun * The new season for the SeniorFootballers and Senior Hurlers kicks off this week this with the footballers athome to Loughinisland on Friday Night. The Hurlers will have played NewryShamrocks on Monday Night with the result unknown going into press.

*The Marie Jones play “A Night in November” will be performed on Saturday 20April at 8.00pm in the Club Rooms. This much acclaimed play has been performedall over the world. The play is about Ken McCallister, a dole clerk who goes tothe 1994 World Cup Qualifier on a night in November in Belfast as the Republicof Ireland plays Northern Ireland. Tickets are on sale from the Club at £10each. It is anticipated that tickets will sell very quickly as this play hassold out virtually everywhere it has been shown. Can you please ensure youpurchase your ticket early to avoid disappointment.

*For all on-going activities please check our website www.castlewellangac.com

*The outdoor juvenile training Under 6 to Under 10 will start week commencing 14April 2013. A full programme will be published this week. Please watch thewebsite for the details.

*Under 12 girls training continues in St Malachy’s Primary School on Mondaynights at 6.15pm to 7.15pm. Under 10 and under 8 age groups.

*Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 Camogie trainingcontinues every Wednesday in St. Malachy’s Primary School from 6.15pm – 7.15pm.Please wear suitable foot wear which will not mark the floor.

* The under 14footballers will train at the Bann Road on Wednesday night at 6.30pm. This willdepend on the weather and the conditions also.

*Hurling outdoors will continue on Thursdays at the Bann Road. Under 8 – primary3/4 and Under 10 – primary 5/6 at 6.00pm. Under 14 hurling will begin at 5.45pmon Friday’s at the Bann Road. Again weather and conditions permitting.