* Congratulations to the Town Senior Ladies Football team who retained their Senior Football Title in a tough physical affair with Annaclone last Saturday night. It was a nervy start from the girls who probably would have settled quicker if a goal bound shot effort from Kyla Trainor had not have smashed off the upright in the first minute. Instead it was Annaclone who registered the first score of the game. The Girls levelled soon after with Lisa Morgan opening our account and then adding to hers and The Town’s tally soon after. When Kyla Trainor found the net in the 15th minute it settled us down. At that point Annaclone held a one point lead. Annaclone pulled back a few scores to leave a point in it at half time. Annaclone levelled things up in the first minute of the second period. It was in this period after half time that the Town set their stall out. In that period we conjured a goal and three points with Kyla Trainor scoring another three pointer. This made the possibility of a comeback a difficult proposition for Annaclone. Annaclone had a goal effort saved by Aisling Burns who cleverly pushed the ball out. Had she have caught it she would have carried over the line. That could have been a game changer. A tough 10 minute period saw a real physical ding dong with ball being overturned before a cool headed Anna Rogan sided stepped the Annaclone keeper for the Towns third goal. There were superb performances all over the field from the full back line right up through the pitch. Mairead Hardy ran her legs off and deservedly awarded the Player Of The Match. She never stopped running and was always available for the ball. . I could mention everyone on the team because it was a real team effort. Special praise goes for the management team of Liam Hardy, Geraldine McKibben and Martin McKibben who worked tirelessly to ensure the title stayed in the Town. That was a difficult. The person who had the honour of captaining this great bunch of players was Karen McMullan who played a true leaders role. This is the start of probably the most hectic and enjoyable period in her sporting life. Next Sunday she will play in the All-Ireland Camogie Final for Down against Laois. On the 28 September she will also play for Down in the All Ireland Intermediate Football Final. Both games in Croke Park. Karen and the other Castlewellan players involved in the football final on the 28 September deserve a special mention for their disciplined approach following Saturday night’s victory. They are an example to the younger players on the squad. The ladies will now go on to play in the Ulster series at the beginning of October.
* Congratulations to the Liatriom Fontenoys Minor Hurling team who won the Down Minor Hurling Championship at the weekend beating Ballygalget in the final. This is only the second time in a lifetime that this title has went outside the Ards Peninsula with Carryduff winning it a couple of years ago. The Town had a healthy representation on the Liatriom Squad with Shane Smyth, Sean Hardy, Joe Cunningham, James McAleenan and Matthew Muldoon. The lads have done extremely well and we are proud of the contribution they have made in this success. They have been a vindication of the good work that goes on within our club in the coaching end. Having won the title on Saturday and then witnessed the breath taking display from Tipperary and Kilkenny on Sunday these lads will be on a high. Well done fellas!
* This weekend see the Down Senior Ladies Camogs contest the All-Ireland Final against Laois. We wish Aoife Keown, Anna Rogan and Karen McMullan(who plays her camogie for The Liatriom Fontenoys) the the best wishes from all our members in what is the biggest day in their young sporting lives representing their county in Croke Park. It will be a special occasion for Noreen Keown also who is a member of the Down Management team. The Club is considering running a bus to the match for anyone who wishes to go but especially our under age Camogs. If you are interested please contact Noreen Keown as soon as possible. Please see our website for match ticket details.
* Last Saturday saw Amy Barr and Sorcha McCartan represent the club for the Under 14 Down Camogs in the Ulster Championship Final against Derry. The Club had extra reason to feel proud as Amy was selected as Captain for the young camogs. This was a real privilege for Amy and a credit to the camogie coaches at the Club– Noreen Keown, Betty and Stevie Croskery. The game finished up 3-06 to 2-05 to Derry. Down played well, however, Derry were just that little bit stronger. The Under14 Down Camogie squad travel to Dublin this weekend for an all-Ireland blitz before parading in Croke Park on Sunday. The Castlewellan representation will be Emma Croskery, Aislinn Hawkins, Amy Barr and Sorcha McCartan. Keep up the good work ladies, and well done.
* Our Under 14 Ladies Footballers played host to Bryansford in the Semi-final of the Championship last Sunday. This was to be a hotly contested game with each side battling hard. At half-time the Town girls were in front by 6 points but to Bryansford came out at the second half more determined than before. The game was neck and neck for a most of the second half with the Town girls having to claw back the lead. On the final whistle there were screams of joy from the girls in green! Castlewellan had won by two points, reflecting that there was very little between the two sides. It was a great spectacle of football and demonstrated that girls football is as physical as the male game and the desire to win equally as great, if not more so. The girls now face Carryduff in the final and if they put their minds to it (and their bodies to training) are more than able for it. Well done to the girls and Mark Doran & Suzanne Barr for the effort they are putting in. There is a great team spirit with these girls having experienced the highlights and the lows this season and this has given them a great bond. Now for the big push!
* There was heartbreak for the Senior Footballers who fell to Burren at the quarter final stage for the second year in a row. Like our Ladies on Saturday night Burren scored a vital three pointer after half time. The saying goals wins games was very much to the fore. That said when a quality side like Burren get their tails up they are very hard to breakdown. A disappointing end to our championship aspirations. The league semi-final is due to be played this weekend against Mayobridge. The lads will have to pick themselves up for that one. They will be on a high after defeating The Ford who are already in the League Final by virtue of their table top finish. Good luck to the lads for that game. A huge support for a bunch of lads who deserve it would be great as they work very hard. This fixture has not yet been confirmed. Please watch the local press and we will let you all know through our website at www.castlewellangac.com and Facebook/Twitter
* Slimming World at Castlewellan GAC on Tuesday from 5.30pm and 7.30pm and Wednesday at 9.30am. Any queries contact Lorna 07531595280
* Under 6 fundamentals coaching continues at the Bann Road On Tuesday evening from 6.15pm to 7.15pm
* Saturday morning Under 6 Hurling and Camogie 10.00am-10.45am, Football 10.45am-11.30am
* Order forms for Club gear will be available on Saturday morning. 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.
* Attention all Club Cyclists! You will be all aware that there are a sizable number of members within our club now cycling for leisure in both long and short distances. A number of members expressed an interest in having a Castlewellan GAA Club cycling top and this has been approved. At this point we do not have a pricing structure. There are two designs – one in green and the other in black. There may be the option of long and short sleeve tops. The minimum order that can be placed is 18 tops. In order to gauge the interest that exists can you please contact Brian O’Neill to register your interest. It should be noted that if we do have the minimum quota and the pricing is confirmed, full payment for each top will have to be made on the placement of your order. Once we have a clear picture we will let you know what our intentions are especially if we decided to order tops i.e. cost deadlines, etc.
