* Sometimes when you win the Championship, it is easy to have the attitude “been there done that”. After the partying and the celebration for some teams (not all!) it is difficult to reset and apply themselves to do the work that is required to put the team in a position to have the opportunity to repeat such success. It is even more difficult when you come up against the team you beat in the previous years’ final who quite rightly following that result have the drive and desire to unseat you. We would all want to do that. On Saturday evening past Hilltown provided the venue for the Bellini’s Down Senior Ladies Football semi-final. The Town v Bryansford. It is always a tight affair with all the old clichés such “no quarter asked or given” or it will be a “ding dong battle”. Well it was a ding dong battle as you would expect when you play “The Ford”. The weather was to say the least “inclement” with the throw in being sensibly delayed due to thunder and lightning in the area. There was certainly thunder on the field and both clichés mentioned above applying. We came out on top in the end but it was not at all easy with both teams serving up a tough and exciting affair. It was sad to see would looks like a serious injury to the Bryansford player Clare Fitzpatrick who required hospital treatment. We hope Clare will recover soon and be back playing in her club colours once again. The Town will now play Annaclone in the final. They beat Bredagh handsomely in the other semi-final played in St Malachy’s Park at the same time. Anyone who saw that match will know that Annaclone are an exciting fast moving team with great ball skills. They played The Town earlier in the season and came away with a draw and perhaps it should have been a win. They will want to reclaim the County Title they last won in 2011. The Town’s job is to keep it and that will be a difficult task. Well done to our ladies. It is not yet known when the final will be which will depend on the progression of the County Team in The All-Ireland series.
*Last Tuesday saw the Under 14 girls footballers play host to Carryduff. The Town girls started poorly with Carryduff scoring a point within moments of throw in. Thankfully, this was to act as the catalyst to spur the home side into action. The Carryduff point was quickly answered by several goals and points from Castlewellan’s Sorcha McCartan, Louise Doran, Alannah Megoran and Nadine McAleenan. As they came in at half time the Town girls led by 9 points. However, in the second half tired legs and complacency kicked in as Carryduff got their second wind and pulled back the gap between the sides. Castlewellan’s confidence was riding too high and rather than go for the easy points, they tried to work the ball into the back of the net. Carryduff were not going to let this happen a second time! They threw everything at the Town girls in the second half and converted some free kicks to take them into the lead. The young Town ladies, regained their composure and made sure that they scored their points when they could. This really was a game of two halves with Castlewellan the better in the first half and Carryduff better in the second. With sheer grit and determination, our girls pulled back the difference for the game to end up a draw. Final Score 6-7 to 6-7. Well done all involved, great promise shown by all particularly those under 12 girls who played.
* What a day’s rain fell on Sunday! From before 5.00am to after 6.00pm it appeared to be relentless. Still games went ahead for our Under 12 and the Under 16 Boys. Martin Brannigan sustained an eye injury in the Under 16 game. He was treated on the pitch by medical professionals who were with the St Paul’s Holywood team. Castlewellan GAC wish to thank St Pauls and their mentors for their assistance to our plyer. It was also greatly appreciated by his family
* The Senior footballers have left themselves in a great position to qualify for League play-off/League Final with victory over Clonduff last Friday night. There is one game left away to Bryansford at the end of the month. Everything goes to the final round of games. There is no straightforward calculation as such as each result in the final round of games could change everything around. This Friday night sees The Town take on co-group favourites Clonduff in the second round of the Senior Football Championships following our defeat to Ballyholland in the first group match. We may have beaten The Yellow’s in the league last week but with them having so many player missing or unavailable from their line-up last week, that game will have absolutely no bearing on Friday night. We all know championship football is always different. We wish our senior footballers all the best for Friday Night. Let us see a large support for the lads on Friday Night – they deserve it.
* This week’s tote numbers were 5, 10, 22 & 23. There were no jackpot winners and four £20 winners; Cahal Crilly, Gavin Quinn, Patricia & Gerard Toner and Martin McClean. Jackpot next week is £7100.
