<b>Kilmacud Sevens Saturday 19th September 2009</b>
The town lads played fast veteran Castlewellan style sevens football winning every game in their section which put them in a play-off against the winners of Group 8 none other than Glenullin of Derry runners up in last year’s competition.
<b>Group 7
Dromard Longford;
Castlewellan Down;
St Nicholas Cork;
Breaffy Mayo;</b>
Group 8
Raheny Dublin;
Glenullin Derry;
Castlehaven Cork;
Kilkerrin Clonberne Galway;
With 3 Bradleys on this team it was always going to be an uphill struggle against this strong and physical side. However undaunted the young town lads put on a remarkable performance to beat last year’s finalists by the narrowest of margins much to the frustration of the Glenullin team and their supporters.
Winning a place in the quarter finals give a tremendous boost to the large Castlewellan contingent of supporters who had descended on the capital for the annual competition. Things were going to get tough from here on in and they don’t come any tougher than meeting St Gall’s of Antrim in the quarter final last year’s Kilmacud Champions and 3 years running winners of Castlewellan Sevens.
Group 9
Bunbrosna Westmeath;
Castleblaney Monaghan;
Longstone Down;
Claregalway Galway;
Group 12
Bray Emmets Wicklow;
Belturbet Cavan;
Bryansford Down;
Caherlistrane Galway;
St Gall’s had jsut beaten Bryansford the qualify and they meant business from the start knocking in 3 goals in the opening minutes as they set out to put Castlewellan to the sword and although the town lads battled valiantly getting some crucial scores by half time the town were down by nine points and there seemed no way back for them.
However within a few minutes of the second half Castlewellan had bagged two goals and a succession of points unanswered by St Galls and when the town started to edge in front St Gall’s seemed to fold under unrelenting town pressure allowing the town lads to step out worthy winners by a margin of eight points.
This is were the competition ended for the town who played so well up to this stage but against Longstone in the semi-final their energy and sap was totally drained leaving them unable to mount the counter attacks that they had mounted so well throughout the day.
Nevertheless a great team effort by Castlewellan seniors who once again proved their worth at Kilmacud and who demonstrated their true commitment to Club and team.
Well done to Liam Hardy Barney Cunningham and Martin McKibbin and team of Steven Trainor, Liam and Donal McKibben, Barry Travers, Kevin Duffin, Liam Lennon, Aidian Brogan, Aidian Burns and Colm and Cahal Crilly
