* When we kick off the notes we like to do so in a winning vein. Sometimes though you have to stop and say to yourself – should winning come first every time? Most of us who have played since we were young will honestly say with a 12-14 years old head on our shoulder will say “yes absolutely!” With a few years (and a few lbs) under your belt and the benefit of 20-20 vision which is called hindsight you tend to see things a little differently. On Saturday past our Under 14 boys footballers contested the Under 14 B Championship Final with hot favourites Kilcoo. You would be forgiven if you saw it as a fore gone conclusion. Just a few weeks ago the lads were on the end of a heavy defeat to our neighbours Kilcoo in the group stages so it is understandable that our neighbours would have been given the favourites tag. In the end they justified that tag in a pulsating and thrilling final which was played out on a warm afternoon in Ballykinlar. Kilcoo won 4-13 to 4-10. The lead changed hands a few times with the lads more than holding their own. A few missed chances may have proved crucial at the end but then all teams can count what was missed. Yes there was huge disappointment for the lads at the end and yes there was the “what if’s and buts”. This team won their league in the summer and have experienced both sides of victory and defeat. It is a learning curve. Despite the defeat the lads have come on well under the stewardship of Mickey McVeigh, Conor Fitzpatrick and Harry Toner. Going back to our opening remarks the older head would be happy to say “a work in progress”. Well done to our lads and Kilcoo for serving up such a cracker.
* Who is Kay Mills? The uninitiated including this scribe) would not know her name. She has a few famous cousins like Sam Maguire, Liam McCarthy, and Tom Markham etc. They all belong to the All-Ireland Trophy family. The initiated will know that Kay had been in our county before last Sunday (three times in fact!). The Down Camogs ensured that she would have a fourth 12 – month term in the Kingdom of Mourne when they beat Laois in The Premiere All-Ireland Final in Croke Park last Sunday. They were behind by three points with 15 minutes to go. 2011 and 2012 must have been in their minds at that stage having been on the losing end in those years. “Keep taking the points” is what is always preached. A recent lesson from the Tipperary Hurlers is a point in case. Seven unanswered points in fact. A thoroughly deserved win for our County Camogs which included our own Aoife Keown, Anna Rogan and Karen McMullan (who plays her camogie for The Liatriom Fontenoys). Let us not forget that Noreen Keown was part of the management team. A proud day for all the families and club members associated with camogie in the Town and Down. Well done to the ladies for all the hard work they have put in. No title in Gaelic Sport is easily won. The hard fought ones are those that stick in your mind.
*Well done to Emma Croskery and Aislinn Hawkins who represented Down under 14B squad at the blitz in Dublin on Saturday. This exposure to a different level of camogie will bring the girls skills on in a positive fashion.
* Our Under 14 Ladies Footballers will play Carryduff in the final of the Championship this Saturday and 12 noon. The venue for the final is not yet known. The girls have been working hard for Suzanne Barr and Mark Doran their managers and coaches. There is 22 in the panel and they deserve the credit. So it is another Saturday and another final and we would ask as many as possible to come out and support the girls. Goo d luck ladies.
* Hot on the heels of our championship exit the senior footballers’ season ended in Liatriom last Saturday with a 6 point defeat to Mayobridge in the league Semi-Final. They took their goal scoring chances and we didn’t. As stated before you need to take those chances against the calibre of our opposition. A disappointing end to the season but a top three finish. We are still a work in progress and with a wee bit of luck and a further push – who knows!
* Slimming World at Castlewellan GAC on Tuesday from 5.30pm and 7.30pm and Wednesday at 9.30am. Any queries contact Lorna 07531595280
* There will be a winter coaching programme commencing on Wednesday Nov 5th for all boys and girls from P1 to P7 in St Malachy’s High School and it will run for 6 Wednesdays up to and including Wednesday Dec 10th. Keep an eye out closer to the then for exact times.
* Saturday 20 September is the last day for ordering club gear. It will be the last order until March 2015. Orders will be taken on Friday Night 19 September in the club from 8.30pm to 9.00pm and on Saturday morning 20 September from 11.30am to 12.00 noon. Anyone wishing to purchase new gear please come along and get the forms. Please note that any orders made must be accompanied with the monies to purchase the gear. This will also include requests for cycling gear with the same conditions applying. Please contact Brian O’Neill, John O’Neill or Terry Connolly.
* Our Year 4 footballers travelled to St John's to take in the final blitz of the year. The boys enjoyed a great morning’ football playing games against St John's, Bryansford, Ardglass and Dundrum. Well done to all the players whom have performed so well all year. Special thanks to St John's in hosting the games.
* The under 6 boys & girls had a blitz against Bryansford on Saturday. Their skills and discipline were excellent. Thanks to Bryansford for participating in this most enjoyable morning of football. The blitz concluded with a party. The Club would like to thank all parents and coaches who provided the refreshments and helped with the party and the cleaning up afterwards. The under 6 boys & girls coaching has now finished for the season. Thanks to all the coaches and all those who participated or helped in any way to make our Saturday morning and Tuesday evening sessions such a success. Thanks to parents and grandparents for bringing the children along and for helping out.
* Saturday also saw the last of the under 6 hurling coaching also. Thank you to all the coaches and parents for their help and support.
* The Club will be holding a night in appreciation of all those who helped out during the year on Saturday 18 October. Details to follow soon.
